한국 내 무슬림 난민의 현황, 난민제도의 이해 및 한국 기독교 교회의 과제

Abstract

Refugees have become high on the agenda in Korea after having sparked great concern worldwide last year. From 1994, when South Korea began to recognize refugees, to 2015, 15,250 people have applied for refugee status in Korea. However, just as in Europe, societal understanding of Muslims and refugees is lacking, despite the conspicuous increase of Muslim refugees from war in Syria and other countries. Rather, groundless fear hatred fills the country. Just as the Korean society is inexperienced in dealing with refugees, Korean churches also are unprepared to welcome and help refugees in their special circumstances. Korean churches have only approached refugees on the basis of their mission work with foreign immigrants. Consequently, the current refugee situation demands understanding of Muslim refugees staying in Korea and questions churches’proper role. To address this issue, this article aims to explore the concept of the refugee, Korea’s refugee system, the current state of affairs, the circumstances for Muslim refugees in Korea, and the grounds for refugee status. The vulnerability of Muslim refugees in Korea will be analyzed in three perspectives: their vulnerability as asylum seekers and refugees, the added difficulties from the recent hatred toward Muslims and refugees, and the problems facing mission work. Lastly, this article will scrutinize the past responses of Korean churches and the tasks asked of Korean churches in the future.