UNHCR operation in the Republic of Korea

About this project

As of 31 December 2021, 3,575 people have been recognised as refugees or granted humanitarian status by the South Korean government. The majority of people holding humanitarian status are from Syria and Yemen. Some 2,143 new applications were submitted during the year 2021. This number has declined, with the Covid-19 pandemic and limitations imposed on travel and visa policies. The role of UNHCR in the Republic of Korea is to engage with the government, judiciary, legislature, the National Human Rights Commission, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil society and persons of concern to improve the domestic protection system and the treatment of asylum-seekers, refugees and other persons of concern. It also includes ensuring respect for their rights and the principle of non-refoulement. The Republic of Korea acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 1992 and began registering asylum-seekers in 1994, with the first recognition of refugee status in 2001. The Refugee Act and its Presidential Decree and Enforcement Regulation came into effect on 1 July 2013. It is the first stand-alone comprehensive refugee law in the Republic of Korea and represents a significant enhancement of refugee protection. This activity shows details of the UNHCR operation in the Republic of Korea for 2025 and future years including the budget, funding, expenditure and results.

Goals

Sustainable Development Goals this project works towards

• 5Gender Equality
• 10Reduced Inequalities
• 16Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• 17Partnerships for the Goals

Published by

Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) · Multilateral

Countries

South Korea

Sectors

Material relief assistance and servicesRelief co-ordination and support services

Focus

Gender equality · Also contributes

Funded by

Private donors, Republic of Korea, United States Department of State

Implemented by

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Accountable

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Published by Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés (HCR) to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), last updated 8 Oct 2026 and imported automatically. IATI identifier: XM-DAC-41121-2025-ASO-KOR.

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