Asylum in South Korea: The Application Process and Key Steps from Application to Appeal

Last updated: 21 September 2026

Introduction

South Korea is a major hub in Asia for asylum applications. The country has been attracting increasing numbers of refugees in recent decades, and while the asylum process is not as widely known as in Europe or North America, South Korea offers protection to those facing persecution in their home countries. In this article, I will explain in detail how to apply for asylum in South Korea, covering all the key stages of the process, from submitting an application to appeals and reapplying if your asylum application is denied.

1. Applying for asylum

An application for asylum in South Korea is submitted to the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea, which is responsible for processing all asylum applications. The application process involves several stages, depending on your location at the time of application.

At the border or at the airport

If you arrive in South Korea via an international airport, you can apply for asylum directly upon crossing the border. In this case, it's important to immediately declare your intention to apply for asylum, and you will be referred to the appropriate authorities for further processing.

Inland

If you are already in South Korea, your application must be submitted to the Ministry of Justice's Refugee Reception Center in Seoul.

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Passport or other identification document.
• A detailed description of the reasons why you cannot return to your country.
• Documents confirming threats and harassment (threatening letters, photographs, medical certificates, etc.).

After submitting your application, you will have an interview with the Ministry of Justice, where you will have to tell your story in detail and explain why you need protection in South Korea.

2. Application Review
Once your application is submitted, the review process begins. In South Korea, there are several key stages along the way.

Interview with Ministry of Justice officials.
During the interview, you will be asked to provide a detailed description of your experiences, threats, and persecution. This is an important step, as your account will be used to determine whether you are eligible for asylum in South Korea.

Assessment and Decision.
The decision on your case is based on the interview, the documents you submit, and an assessment of the situation in your country of origin. South Korea monitors the situation in the countries from which applicants come to assess whether they are genuinely being persecuted or threatened.

If your asylum application is approved, you will receive refugee status and will be able to legally remain in South Korea. Otherwise, your application will be rejected.

3. Appealing a Denial
If your application is denied, you can appeal. There are several bodies in South Korea that handle appeals.

The appeal process

1. Filing deadline: The appeal must be filed within 14 days of receiving the refusal notice.
2. New evidence: During the appeals process, you can present new evidence that could change the decision. This could include additional documents or information about the situation in your home country that you were unable to provide during the initial review.

Appeal Review:
Your appeal is reviewed by the Asylum Committee at the Ministry of Justice. If your appeal is successful, you will be granted refugee status and will be allowed to remain in South Korea. If your appeal is denied, you will be given the opportunity to reapply or appeal the decision in court.

4. The Role of an Expert Report in an Appeal
An expert report can play a key role in an appeal, particularly if the case involves political persecution or threats that were not adequately addressed during the initial review process.

What is a country-specific expert report?
An expert report is a document prepared by an independent expert that analyzes the situation in the applicant's country of origin and provides an opinion on the risks the applicant may face if they return home. This report may be based on information about the political, human rights, and social situation in the applicant's country.

The objectives of an expert report are:

1. Confirmation of threats in the country of origin: The expert examines the current situation in the applicant's country, including political violence, repression, ethnic or religious persecution, and other risks.
2. Substantiating the applicant's vulnerability: Expert evidence helps demonstrate that the applicant is part of a vulnerable group, such as a political opponent, a member of a minority, or a victim of violence.
3. Corroborating evidence: The expert may use evidence such as international reports (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UN reports) as well as local media reports to support his or her findings.

Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.

My achievements:

• Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
• Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
• My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
• Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov

Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

If you are seeking a professional expert in political asylum matters from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

How I prepare an expert report:

• Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
• Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
• Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
• Compliance with standards:
• My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
• Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.

Declaration of Truthfulness:

At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.

Liability to Court:

• My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
• In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.

— Maxim Kharitonov

How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com

Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com

Working hours:

• I respond to requests within 1 hour.

• I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.

5. Temporary Protection Program
If your appeal is rejected and the situation in your home country remains dangerous, you can apply for temporary protection. This offer is for people who need temporary shelter until their situation improves or changes.

6. Judicial Review (Immigration Court)
If your appeal is rejected, you have the right to appeal to the Immigration Court of South Korea. The court will consider whether errors were made in the legal process and whether there are grounds for reconsideration.

7. Fresh Claim
If there have been significant changes in the situation in your home country or new evidence has come to light since you submitted your previous application, you can submit a new application for asylum. It is important that the new evidence be significant enough to change the course of the case.

Conclusion:
The asylum application process in South Korea requires diligence and careful preparation, especially during the appeal and reapplication stages.An expert report can play a key role in strengthening your case, providing the court and immigration authorities with a complete picture of the situation in your home country.With the right support and professional assistance, your chances of success can significantly increase.

Contact me:

• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com