State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009 - Republic of Korea (South Korea)
| Publisher | Minority Rights Group International |
| Publication Date | 16 July 2009 |
| Cite as | Minority Rights Group International, State of the World's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009 - Republic of Korea (South Korea), 16 July 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4a66d9a8c.html [accessed 14 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Republic of Korea is a very homogeneous country in linguistic and ethnic terms. There is only one small Chinese minority of perhaps as few as 20,000 people. Religious minorities are however significant. As of September 2008, there were 408 Jehovah's Witnesses in prison in South Korea because of their conscientious objection to military service. Legislation does not permit any exemption or alternative service for those who have a religious objection to serving in the country's armed forces.
South Korea accepts all North Korean asylum seekers as citizens, under its constitution that defines the entire Korean Peninsula as South Korean territory.
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