Five Russian men escaping conscription have been stranded at Seoul airport for months while applying for refugee status
Five Russian men who fled Russia following the government’s military mobilization order last September have been stranded at Incheon International Airport in South Korea for months after authorities refused to accept them.
Three of the men arrived at the airport last October and two in November, according to their lawyer Lee Jong-chan. But since the South Korean Ministry of Justice denied their asylum claims, they have been in the airport departure lounge for months waiting for their appeal to be resolved, according to Lee.
“They are provided with one meal a day, which is lunch, but the rest of the day they live on bread and drinks. They can shower, but they have to wash their clothes by hand and cannot leave the departure and duty-free areas.” , Lee told CNN. “They have limited access to healthcare, but no mental health support, which is important given their precarious situation,” she added.
A press release issued last month by a South Korean human rights group called on the government to honor the men’s applications, saying they refuse to become “instruments of assassination” and that, if they return to their country, ” it is very likely that they will be detained or forcibly recruited.”
The South Korean Ministry of Justice has dismissed their applications as “unworthy of evaluation,” arguing that refusal of conscription is not grounds for recognition of refugee status,” according to Lee, who has reviewed the document. of the ministry.
Lee argues that the men’s refusal to serve in the military “must be recognized as a political reason given the current situation that the war [en Ucrania] is condemned by international law.”
“[Los hombres] they are political refugees facing persecution,” the activist group’s press release reads, adding: “Those who apply for refugee status fleeing political and religious persecution in their home countries are entitled to protection in under international law. … As a developed and democratic state guaranteeing human rights, Korea [del Sur] has quietly turned away refugees who have opposed the war.
The men have appealed the decision, and three of them will face their first court ruling on January 31, during which the court will decide whether their case is “worthy of evaluation,” according to Lee. If the court finds in your favour, the Ministry of Justice will have to review your applications for refugee status.
South Korea has conscription and takes draft breaks very seriously.