[Trending] Opponents dominate online refugee debate

Amid the cacophony of political voices and questionable claims, critics of Yemeni asylum seekers on Jeju Island are dominating the online refugee debate.

Proponents and opponents of refugees took to the streets of Seoul on Saturday to voice their support for and in opposition of the government’s asylum program, which has emerged as one of the touchiest subjects following an influx of over 500 Yemeni asylum seekers onto Jeju Island this year.

While Saturday saw passionate protestors from both sides chant effective slogans like “The people come first,” and “Refugees welcome,” the online discussion has much more negative comments and news providing ammunition to critics.

“French people have moved to the suburbs, while Muslims and black people occupy Paris, and the romantic streets of Paris fade away thanks to refugees and multiculturalism,” one Twitter user said.

Another twitter user wrote, “Sick sex attackers grin on CCTV after gang raping sobbing teenage girl in park before dumping her in city center,” using the hashtag #refugee in Korean.

The tweet linked to an article about a gang rape case from the British tabloid newspaper the Sun. The article does not mention the criminals’ immigration status.

One Naver user argued the government needs to put Koreans first.

“I’m an ardent supporter of the government and the president but this is wrong. Use the money to help those living in poor conditions instead.”

According to a recent survey by Realmeter, over 49 percent of South Koreans do not support accepting Yemini refugees in Jeju, while 39 percent showed approval. More supporters of all major parties opposed refugees except the left-wing Justice Party.

Against this backdrop, a petition appeared on the Blue House website last month, calling for the government to withdraw its refuge program which allows asylum seekers to stay in the country during the refuge application process.

The petition however was soon taken down by the presidential office for claiming followers of Islam are “bound to commit sex crimes as they do not treat women as humans but mere baby-making machines.”

By Yim Hyun-su (hyunsu@heraldcorp.com)