Choi Young-ae, the new head of the National Human Rights Commission of South Korea, affirmed last Thursday that she would seek solutions to settle the residency problem of three Egyptian refugees, who are in a general hunger strike due to the delays in granting them asylum to South Korea.
The three Egyptians have been on hunger strike consecutively for 28 days, 26 days and 15 days, and strike in front of the security police station near Seoul's Blue House office, demanding asylum applications and the adoption of anti-refugee measures in South Korea.
Choi informed the Egyptians of her great interest in the issue of refugees in her country, the way in which the South Korean society views them and the government's responsibilities towards them. She appealed to them to end the strike, expressing concern that their health could worsen. "Our society is learning and maturing now," she said, confirming that this issue would be settled later.
She pointed out that the local authorities should take into account South Korea's status and its role as a responsible member towards the international community in dealing with similar humanitarian situations.
Choi's goal behind meeting the Egyptians is her interest regarding the refugee issue, considering that the time has come for the local community to move, to confront the problems faced by this vulnerable group, according to a UNHCR official accompanying Choi. In fact, he revealed that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is working on making the Ministry of Justice expedite in the procedures for the reviewing of their requests and work to settle fairly their situation.
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