3,900 illegal migrants in S. Korea

3,900 illegal migrants in S. Korea

JAKARTA: The government is coordinating with South Korean authorities to repatriate some 3,900 Indonesians working illegally in South Korea.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said after meeting his South Korean counterpart, Choi Sung Hong, here on Friday that the South Korean government had decided in March 2002 to return the illegal workers.

"The exact number of Indonesians working illegally in South Korea is unknown as it is difficult to track them down. But the two countries have discussed the issue extensively," Hassan told Antara.

The minister said the illegal workers had been trainees that failed to return to Indonesia after their three-year contracts had expired.

"Many disappeared after three years of working illegally without having proper residence permits and perhaps holding expired passports," Hassan said.

Most Indonesians working illegally in South Korea can be found in the industrial city of Busan. --Antara