Overview

• 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.