In response to growing public concern over job competition in South Korea’s day labor markets, the Seoul Immigration Office (서울출입국·외국인청) announced on July 3 that it has arrested 245 foreign nationals for violating immigration and employment laws during a large-scale inspection.
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| Foreign Workers are waiting for job in early morning at Namgu station, Seoul |
The crackdown was conducted in May and June 2025, following a widely shared May 11 investigative report by Chosun Ilbo titled: “Why Are They Taking Our Jobs?” (왜 내 일 뺏어가나), which shed light on rising tensions at informal labor markets in Seoul over 100,000 KRW/day construction jobs.
Throughout May and June, the Seoul Immigration Office conducted intensive inspections and enforcement operations. These efforts focused on major labor markets in Seoul, particularly around Namguro, Daerim, Dongdaemun, and Namyeong Stations, where employment agencies are concentrated, as well as areas like Hwaseong and Dangjin. The crackdown resulted in the apprehension of 194 undocumented foreign residents and 51 foreign nationals working in violation of their visa status, totaling 245 unqualified foreign workers.
All apprehended individuals will face legal measures, including forced deportation. Additionally, four employment agencies found to have facilitated these illegal hirings were subjected to penalties.
By nationality, the apprehended individuals included:
- China: 114
- Thailand: 58
- Vietnam: 57
- Russia: 5
- Nepal: 2
- Kazakhstan: 2
- Other: 7
By visa status, the breakdown was:
- Short-term Visit (C-3): 98
- Visa Waiver (B-1): 58
- Seasonal Worker (E-8, working outside designated locations): 44
- Refugee Applicant (G-1): 12
- Non-professional Employment (E-9): 8
- Transit Tourism (B-2): 6
- Family Visitor (F-1): 5
- General Trainee (D-4): 4
- Other: 10
Investigations revealed a shift in how foreign nationals obtain employment. While traditionally relying on acquaintances or employment agencies, there's a growing trend of individuals using social media platforms like WeChat to find job information. Most illegal employment was found to be in day-labor roles at construction sites and manufacturing companies across the Seoul metropolitan area, with many securing jobs through early morning labor markets near Namguro and Daerim Stations.
Ban Jae-yeol, head of the Seoul Immigration Office, said that the agency will continue to conduct inspections in labor markets and foreign-concentrated areas to protect domestic employment and restore order in immigration control. He emphasized that immigration authorities will also intensify efforts to crack down on brokers who facilitate illegal employment.
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| Immigration Office members cracking down on illegal workers |
Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
“서울출입국·외국인청은 지난 5~6월 남구로역, 대림역, 동대문역, 남영역 주변 등 인력소개소가 몰려있는 서울의 주요 인력시장과 화성, 당진 등을 중심으로 집중 단속·점검을 실시해 불법 체류 외국인 194명, 불법 취업 외국인(취업 제한 자격으로 취업) 51명 등 무자격 외국인 245명을 적발했다.”
Key Vocabulary:
- 서울출입국·외국인청 – Seoul Immigration Office
- 지난 5~6월 – last May to June
- 인력소개소 – job placement agency
- 몰려있다 – to be concentrated, clustered
- 주요 인력시장 – major labor market
- 집중 단속 – intensive crackdown
- 점검 – inspection, check
- 실시하다 – to carry out, to conduct
- 불법 체류 외국인 – undocumented/illegal foreign residents
- 불법 취업 외국인 – foreigners working illegally
- 취업 제한 자격 – restricted employment visa/status
- 무자격 외국인 – unqualified/unauthorized foreigners
- 적발하다 – to catch, detect
Grammar Notes:
- 화성, 당진 등을 중심으로 = focusing on areas like Hwaseong and Dangjin
- 불법 외국인에 대한 단속을 실시해 = carried out a crackdown on illegal foreigners
- 취업 제한 자격으로 취업 = worked under restricted visa conditions
Translation:
"The Seoul Immigration Office conducted an intensive crackdown and inspection from May to June around major labor markets in Seoul—such as Namguro Station, Daerim Station, Dongdaemun Station, and Namyeong Station—where job agencies are clustered, as well as in cities like Hwaseong and Dangjin. As a result, they caught 245 unauthorized foreign nationals, including 194 undocumented residents and 51 foreigners working illegally with restricted visa qualifications."
References: chosun news, yonhap news,
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