The Immigration Office's request for a letter of apology from a foreigner violating the law is a violation of human rights.😲😐

It was judged that it was a violation of human rights for a state agency employee to demand a letter of apology from a foreigner residing in Korea who requested an alien registration card renewal because he had a record of drunk driving.

It said that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea's request for a foreigner to write a statement showing remorse constitutes a human rights violation.

According to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Mr. A, a Chinese national with permanent residency in Korea (F-5 visa), visited the branch office of the Daejeon Immigration Office to renew his alien registration card in November 2021.

Mr. A, who went to the investigation department in the branch office, was asked to write a statement to the effect of “repenting for being punished with a fine of 6 million won for drunk driving in the past.”

At the time, Mr. A wrote, “I will deeply reflect and abide by the law in the future.” However, Mr. A filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, saying that the public servant's request violated his human rights.

In response, B, an employee of the investigation department who requested the submission of a statement of reflection, refuted, saying, “The statement was issued to confirm the facts, and the statement was guided to be helpful in extenuating circumstances when making a review decision, but did not request reflection.”

However, as a result of the investigation, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea concluded that Mr. A’s complaint was valid, and recommended the head of the Daejeon Immigration Office for Foreigners to take “caution” against employee B.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea judged that Mr. B “forced to do something that was not his duty” to a foreigner, and concluded that he violated the general right to freedom of action and freedom of conscience guaranteed by the Korean Constitution.

On the other hand, foreigners with permanent residency are not deported even if they drive drunk. However, foreigners with other visas may be subject to deportation.