The Seoul Administrative Court ruled Tuesday that an Ethiopian anti-government activist should be recognized as a refugee here.
He filed a case against the Seoul Immigration Office over its decision not to approve his application for refugee status.
“Given that the person is an ethnic Amhara, he could be further oppressed by his country for his acts against the government there. Therefore, it is valid to recognize him as a refugee,” the court said.
“He testified specifically and persuasively how he was beaten and arrested during an investigation.”
The Refugee Law here accepts refugees who are exposed to persecution for their race, religion or political views.
The Ethiopian came to Korea in March 2016 and extended his stay until October the same year on a student visa.
He applied for refugee status in July last year, but the immigration center denied the application.
He said his father was imprisoned for 11 years for working with the country’s former government, adding if he returns to Ethiopia, he will also be persecuted.
