Korean Human Rights Watch Dog Advocates for Three Russians Trapped in Incheon Airport
This ruling from the South Korean human rights watch dog recommends improving the living the conditions for three Russians hiding from military service in the departure area of Incheon International Airport:
Three draft-eligible Russians, who have been stranded at Incheon International Airport for over one year unable to get asylum approval from the South Korean government, deserve humanitarian assistance from local authorities, the state human rights watchdog said Monday.
The three Russian men have been living in the airport’s departure waiting area since October 2022 after fleeing to avoid being drafted to fight against Ukraine. They applied for asylum after landing at the airport, but the Ministry of Justice rejected their applications, saying a simple evasion of military service does not constitute grounds for refugee status.
The Russians then filed a lawsuit to nullify the ministry’s decision, and the Incheon District Court ruled in favor of two of them in February. The ministry then appealed to a higher court, leading the Russians to continue to live virtually homeless somewhere within the airport terminal.
Yonhap
You can read more at the link.
Were they sponsored by the Hanky?
We all feel sorry for young men forced to go to war. But they ought to have flown to Canada. South Korea was a poor choice to avoid the draft. If they win, Koreans will petition to have the draft cancelled in the RoK.
And when the Russians lose and go back to Russia, it won’t be as much fun as they left.