Immigration appeals decision in Russians' asylum case

One of the Russian seeking asylum at Incheon International Airport. [ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC INTEREST LAW/YONHAP]

The Korean immigration office plans to appeal a recent court ruling that upheld requests by two Russians seeking asylum for fear of being drafted to fight in Ukraine.

According to Yonhap on Tuesday, the Justice Ministry's Korea Immigration Service filed the appeal with Incheon District Court against a previous decision canceling the agency's decision not to review the asylum requests of the two Russians.

While three Russians had asked the court to make immigration review their asylum requests, the court accepted the requests of only two since one was also a citizen of Kyrgyzstan, and therefore could seek asylum in that country.

Kyrgyzstan has remained neutral in the war in Ukraine and has not denied entry to Russians fleeing the draft.

Regarding the other two, however, the court argued on Feb. 14 that their cases should be heard because their refusal to be drafted could be considered political expression and constitute a cause for persecution.

The Justice Ministry has argued that simply dodging a draft is does not constitute grounds for asylum.

The three Russian arrived at Incheon International Airport between September and October last year and remained at the airport for four months.

According to Yonhap, the Justice Ministry has allowed the two Russians to enter the country but has restricted them to stay at a foreigner support center near the airport.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]