• South Korea experienced a five-fold surge in Russian asylum seekers in 2023.
  • The majority of Russian applicants cite conscription avoidance of the war with Ukraine.
  • Two Russians who had fled to evade the draft were stranded at Incheon International Airport for months.
  • Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    8 months ago

    Friendly reminder to support your neighbors who have fled the war. My house cleaner fled Russia with her family and has set down roots in my neighborhood - we’re glad to have her here! I’m fortunate to be in a position to pay her very well so she can afford to get settled and live a comfy life.

    We use translate apps on our phones to communicate, and she’s told me that she’s so happy to see a gay couple able to live out and proud. Bonus points because my Shiba loves her, and he hates everyone.

    There’s opportunities in every neighborhood to help. My local Jewish center set up a program to get laptops to asylum seekers, and I volunteer once a month to rehab the computers. Let’s all do our part to help others who are in a rough spot!

  • theodewere@kbin.social
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    8 months ago

    South Korea’s approval rate for refugee status remains low despite the rise in applications. Out of 5,950 cases evaluated last year, only 1.7% (101 applicants) were granted refugee status.

    this makes me wonder about those 101 cases that were approved… how many Russians do you have to piss off for the South Koreans to say “oh shit, you need protection”…