South Korea Experiences Unprecedented Surge in Russian Asylum Seekers

Over 5,000 Russians applied for asylum in 2023, fleeing conscription amid the Ukraine conflict.

South Korea saw a fivefold increase in Russian asylum seekers in 2023, with over 5,000 applications.
The surge is attributed to Russians fleeing conscription amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
South Korea's strict asylum policies result in a low approval rate, with only 1.7% of applicants granted refugee status in 2023.
Russian asylum seekers stranded at Incheon International Airport highlight the challenges faced by those fleeing the draft.
The influx of asylum seekers in South Korea is not limited to Russians, with significant numbers from Kazakhstan, China, Malaysia, and India.