Activists Condemn Candidate’s Alleged Hate Crimes Against Migrants

 

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Migrant advocacy groups across South Korea are calling on authorities to arrest and investigate Park Jin-jae, a far-right political candidate accused of unlawfully targeting and detaining migrants. A coalition of human rights organizations held a press conference in Seoul, urging police to protect foreigners’ constitutional rights.

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Park, running for office in Daegu, belongs to the minor far-right Jayu Party and group Citizen’s Protection Solidarity. The coalition alleges Park and the group have been forcibly interrogating and illegally detaining foreigners they suspect of being undocumented, uploading videos of “arrests” on social media without consent.

The activists condemn Park as a “manhunter” who has infringed on law enforcement authority and committed hate crimes against minorities. “Everyone in Korea has rights to dignity and liberty under the Constitution,” said coalition lawyer Choi Jung-kyu. The group claims Park’s aggressive behavior, home entries, and illegal detentions violate fundamental rights.

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“Migrant workers are here because Korea needs them as members of society,” said Migrants’ Trade Union head Udaya Rai. However, he criticized Korea’s policies for keeping migrants undocumented and in inhumane work, treating them as criminals.

With over 400,000 undocumented immigrants as of 2023, the coalition argues lack of a legal status path contributes to hate, despite migrants’ economic contributions. Human rights groups have urged accountability and reforms to immigration policies to provide legalization and better protect migrant rights. The case spotlighted migrant treatment and the need for greater protection against hate and discrimination.