On 12 February 2026, the Ministry of Justice published comprehensive refugee statistics summarizing how the refugee system operates. They cover refugee applications, review results, appeals, refugee recognition, and humanitarian stay from 1994, when Korea started its refugee system, to 2025. The Ministry of Justice said it will publish these statistics every year to run the refugee system transparently.
What the statistics cover
- Refugee applications by year, nationality, and grounds
- Refugee applications at ports of entry (airports, seaports)
- Progress of refugee reviews and how long reviews take
- Recognized refugees and humanitarian stay holders by nationality
- Refugee recognition by stage (first-instance review, appeal, lawsuit)
Key numbers for 2025
- Refugee applications: 14,626, down about 20% from 2024 (18,335). Total applications since 1994 are 136,720.
- Repeat applications: 1,595 applications were made again after a decision not to recognize refugee status, about 11% of all applications.
- Nationalities with the most applications: Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Pakistan, in that order.
- Reviews completed: 13,258 cases were reviewed and completed at Immigration Offices and similar bodies, including 2,107 voluntary withdrawals.
- Reviews pending: 29,078 cases are still waiting for review.
- Appeals: of the 7,274 decisions not to recognize refugee status in 2025, appeals were filed in 5,802 (about 80%).
- Refugee recognition: 135 people, up about 29% from 2024 (105 people).
- Humanitarian Stay Permits: 41 people, down 58% from 2024 (97 people).
Review periods
| Stage | Time taken (average) |
|---|---|
| First-instance review at Immigration Offices and similar bodies | About 18 months |
| Appeal review by the Refugee Committee | About 17 months |
| Court lawsuit to revoke a decision not to recognize refugee status | About 22 months |
Cumulative figures (up to 2025)
- The cumulative number of recognized refugees is 1,679, and the refugee recognition rate is 2.7%.
- The cumulative number of people granted a Humanitarian Stay Permit is 2,727.
- The refugee protection rate, which combines recognized refugees and people granted a Humanitarian Stay Permit, is about 7%.
- Recognition rates differ greatly by nationality. The Ministry of Justice said the recognition rates for people from Myanmar (57.1%), Burundi (45.2%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (28.2%) are relatively high.
Things to keep in mind when reading the statistics
- These statistics are numbers for the system as a whole. You cannot predict the outcome of your case or when it will be decided from the average review period or the overall recognition rate.
- Recognition rates differ by nationality, grounds for application, review stage, and year. Do not give up on applying or judge the outcome based only on the overall recognition rate.
- If your review is taking a long time, also check whether the address and contact details registered with immigration are up to date, and whether there has been an interview, a request for additional documents, or a service by public notice.
Asking about your case
- The refugee department of the immigration office where you filed your refugee application
- Immigration Contact Center: 1345