INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
South Koreas Justice Ministry is to appeal a court judgment that granted two Russian guys leaving military mobilization the right to apply
for refugee status, The Korea Times reported Wednesday
Three males, whose identities have not been divulged to safeguard their family members in Russia arrived at Incheon International Airport
late on numerous dates last year where they separately tried to make an application for asylum in South Korea
Their applications were declined by the Justice Ministry, which stated the mens grounds for seeking asylum were simply financial in nature
The guys have been efficiently left in limbo ever since, and chosen to camp inside the airport for months rather than return to Russia
Regardless of the truth that draft dodging is not a valid reason to get refugee status under South Korean law-- where all able-bodied men
should serve 18 months of mandatory military service-- the 3 guys appealed the Justice Ministry decision in court.The court ultimately
granted 2 of them the right to look for asylum however rejected the appeal made by the third
The Justice Ministry said the February ruling could set a precedent for future asylum candidates and make South Korea a location for
immigrants wanting to prevent military service in their own countries
The ministrys decision to obstruct the maless application and appeal the court decision, the ministry stated, had actually been based on
prior judgments by South Koreas Supreme Court as well as worldwide legal standards.
