Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

International marriages spur worry over fraud
With international marriages increasing at an unprecedented rate, authorities are worried that it might also be the case with bogus marriages. The number of foreigners married to Koreans in the country increased nearly 30 percent last year, the Justice Ministry said yesterday. The total number of foreigners with South Korean spouses in the country increased to more than 57,000 last year, a 28.5 percent increase from a year before and a jump of more than 64 percent from some 34,000 in 2002, it said.

In 2004, the number of divorce cases between Korean husbands and Chinese wives increased by about 180 percent, accounting for over half of the entire divorce cases in international marriages.

"By principle, we check the legal status of a foreigner once a year and give permission to stay any longer. If their purpose of stay is found to be unlawful, such as employment in disguise of marriage, we take due steps," a justice ministry official said.
by Lee Sun-young, Korea Herald (March 31, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/04/01/200504010010.asp

[JongnoGuru]

I say it's time for a crackdown the likes of which this world has never seen before, and won't soon forget.

[Real Reality]

Among the total foreign spouses, females accounted for more than 90 percent with 54,533.

By nationality, most were from other Asian countries. Chinese, including Korean Chinese, accounted for the majority of the foreign spouses with 35,928, followed by Japanese with 7,609, Vietnamese with 4,145, Filipinos with 3,876, Thais with 1,347 and Mongolians with 1,024.

However, many foreign spouses in Korea suffer mistreatment and violence due to a lack of proper protective measures.

"More foreign wives are suffering from domestic violence due to cultural differences and a lack of communication," said Bae Suk-ill, president of Inchon branch of Korean Korea Women's Hotline, a civic organization working for women's human rights.
Foreign Spouses Surpass 60,000
By Moon Gwang-lip, Korea Times (March 31, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200503/kt2005033117111310440.htm

[JongnoGuru]

[Kimchieluver]

Oh! Hockey style, got to try that!