- Title: Afghan evacuees arrive in South Korea
- Date: 26th August 2021
- Summary: INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA (AUGUST 26, 2021) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** STAFF WEARING PROTECTIVE SUIT STANDING AT ARRIVAL GATE OF INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VARIOUS OF STAFF WAITING FOR EVACUEES WHO CAN BE SEEN BEHIND THE DOORS VARIOUS OF EVACUEES COMING OUT OF ARRIVAL GATE / STAFF WEARING PROTECTIVE SUITS GIVING DIRECTION VARIOUS OF EVACUEES WALKING OUT OF THE AIRPORT BUILDING VARIOUS OF EVACUEES GETTING ON BUS VARIOUS OF AIRCRAFT CARRYING AFGHAN EVACUEES ARRIVING AT INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SOUTH KOREA'S JUSTICE MINISTER, PARK BEOM-KYE, WALKING TOWARDS THE PODIUM PARK AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS STANDING JOURNALISTS SEATED (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREA'S JUSTICE MINISTER, PARK BEOM-KYE, SAYING: "There was also a time when Koreans had to flee the war and receive support from the international community. Now it is time for us to return the favour."' NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREA'S JUSTICE MINISTER, PARK BEOM-KYE, SAYING: "Despite the fact that we are physically apart in a distant country, they were practically our neighbours. How could we possibly turn a blind eye to them when their lives are at risk because of the fact that they worked with us?" NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREA'S JUSTICE MINISTER, PARK BEOM-KYE, SAYING: "Through the revision of the (Enforcement Decree of the Immigration) Act granting them the F-2 visa status, they can stably settle down here in South Korea and get a job freely. The government hasn't reviewed the matter of granting them permanent residency yet." VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 9th September 2021 11:37
- Keywords: Afghanistan Incheon Seoul South Korea airport evacuation visa
- Location: INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
- City: INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERX0BPJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Nearly 400 evacuated Afghans arrived on Thursday (August 26) in Seoul, where the government said it was amending the law to allow long-term stays for those who worked on South Korean projects in Afghanistan before the Taliban seized power this month.
Immigration is a contentious issue in South Korea, where many pride themselves on ethnic homogeneity, even as the population of 52 million ages rapidly and the labour force dwindles.
At least two flights brought in 391 people, including the families of workers at the Korean embassy, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a hospital, and Korean government-run vocational training institute and military bases.
Justice Minister Park Beom-kye said many Koreans had received international support after having had to flee during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1953.
The government was in the process of amending immigration laws to grant the Afghans long-term residency as foreigners who had provided special service to the country, Park added.
(Production: Dogyun Kim, Hyunyoung Yi) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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