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