The Ministry of Justice / Korea Times file

By Lee Hae-rin

The Ministry of Justice said, Friday, it caught 887 undocumented workers of foreign nationality employed in adult entertainment facilities, brokers and employers during a recent crackdown on illegal employment.

From the two-month investigation between June and July, the ministry found 642 undocumented employees of foreign nationality and ordered the deportation of 588, while telling 16 to depart voluntarily. Five were sent to the prosecution.

The undocumented workers include: 527 Thai, 49 Vietnamese, 33 Chinese, 12 Russian and 11 Filipino nationals.

The ministry also captured 11 brokers who helped them unlawfully to enter the country and find jobs here, and sent them to the prosecution.

Two hundred thirty-four illegal employers were also caught. Among them, 210 received a notification disposition, while 13 were sent to the prosecution without arrest.

The ministry said it conducted an intensive crackdown in massage parlors, hostess bars and other adult entertainment facilities suspected of unlawfully employing foreign nationals who came here on visa-waiver programs.

According to the ministry, 17.4 percent, or 76 out of 437 Thai nationals who came to Jeju Island on group tours, are now missing after their duration of stay expired. Earlier this month, a total of 727 Thai nationals were denied from entering the island for having records of having stayed here illegally and were sent back to Thailand.

Meanwhile, behind the increasing illegal immigration are brokers who encourage people to stay here illegally and connect them to unlawful employment. They reportedly share tips online for foreign nationals to enter the country disguised as tourists and recommend that they "dress like tourists" and "have enough cash in their wallets" to avoid getting caught during the immigration process.

The ministry plans to continue the crackdown on brokers, undocumented foreign workers employed in delivery and illegal taxi services, and those who have broken away from seasonal work programs throughout September and October.

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon said, "The basic premise behind setting up an agency overseeing the systemization of immigration policy is to establish order for sojourns and the prevention of illegal entry."