People attend a candle light vigil held in solidarity with Ukrainian people, as Russia's invasion in Ukraine continues, near Russian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, March 4, 2022.
People attend a candle light vigil held in solidarity with Ukrainian people, as Russia's invasion in Ukraine continues, near Russian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, March 4, 2022.
  • South Korea experienced a five-fold surge in Russian asylum seekers in 2023.
  • The majority of Russian applicants cite conscription avoidance of the war with Ukraine.
  • Two Russians who had fled to evade the draft were stranded at Incheon International Airport for months.

South Korea is experiencing a dramatic surge in asylum seekers from Russia, per a recent government report cited in the Korea Herald.