In 2023, an unprecedented number of Russians sought political asylum in South Korea, a development later highlighted by television outlets and reported through CNN with information drawn from the country’s immigration agency. The surge reflects changing migration patterns and asylum policies that have caught the attention of regional observers and policymakers alike, as well as the broader discourse on refugee protection in East Asia.
Official figures from the local border administration show that there were 5,750 Russians registered in South Korea during 2023 who were actively pursuing political asylum. This statistic marks a notable uptick in asylum applications compared with recent years and underscores ongoing concerns about the drivers of displacement, including political pressure, security considerations, and the desire for safety amid international developments.
Last October, reporting indicated that three Russian nationals who fled mobilization efforts to South Korea in October 2022 were living at Incheon Airport for more than a year because their asylum requests had not been granted. The authorities in charge of immigration clarified that requests for asylum were evaluated under Korean law, with the state emphasizing that evading military service does not by itself qualify a person for refugee status. In response to the situation, the State Human Rights Commission called on authorities to ensure improved living conditions for Russians awaiting decisions on their status and to address the humanitarian aspects associated with prolonged waiting periods.
A separate note concerns two Russians formerly from Chukotka who reached the United States after traversing the Bering Strait by boat, subsequently being allowed to stay. This reference highlights the diverse routes and outcomes faced by those who flee conscription and political upheaval, illustrating how different nations balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations in the context of the mobilization crisis.