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Panda | 판다
Panda | 판다
@panda@assemblag.es  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

In #Korea ‘No foreigner sojourning in the Republic of Korea shall engage in any political activity with the exception of cases provided for by this Act or other Acts.’ as per Article 17(2) of the Immigration Control Act.

This may hopefully change depending on the outcome of a constitutional complaint by Open Net, together with Law Firm Innovation, seeking a declaration of unconstitutionality of Article 17(2).

Press release: https://www.opennetkorea.org/en/wp/7476

(Section 17(2) in: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=33079&lang=ENG )

IMMIGRATION ACT

OPEN NET

Open Net Files Constitutional Complaint Challenging Ban on Political Activities by Foreign Nationals

On January 28, 2026, Open Net, together with Law Firm Innovation (attorneys Jiwon Son and Jihwan Park), filed a constitutional complaint seeking a declaration of unconstitutionality of Article 17(2) of the Immigration Control Act, commonly referred to as the “ban on political activities by foreign n
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wakest ⁂ FOSDEM
wakest ⁂ FOSDEM
@liaizon@social.wake.st replied  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

@panda wow that is fascist af, I had no idea this was in place.

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Panda | 판다
Panda | 판다
@panda@assemblag.es replied  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

@liaizon As far as I understand this section and other speech limiting laws, also affecting Koreans, are relicts from the war and dictatorships. As usual it's easier to create such laws than to remove them so it takes time and has to get the support of nationals for that to happen. I hope this attempt will succeed.

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wakest ⁂ FOSDEM
wakest ⁂ FOSDEM
@liaizon@social.wake.st replied  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

@panda is there much history of non Koreans getting arrested or jailed for breaking this law by protesting or "doing political activism"

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Panda | 판다
Panda | 판다
@panda@assemblag.es replied  ·  activity timestamp 7 days ago

@liaizon Not that I could find. It has more of an effect of preventing participation in the first place.

Here are two relevant articles:

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20170103/foreigners-political-activities-and-limits

'In response to an official Disclosure of Information request, the Immigration Service revealed it had no record of any foreigner being punished for breaching Article 17.’

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/globalcommunity/20250408/political-activities-by-foreign-nationals-turns-focus-on-existing-law

'the ban on political activity by noncitizens in Korea has never been enforced, according to the Ministry of Justice — at least not yet.’

Political activity by foreign nationals turns focus on existing law - The Korea Times

Can foreigners be deported for participating in political activities here? Article 17 of Korea’s Immigration Act states, “No alien staying in the R...

Foreigners' political activities and limits - The Korea Times

By Nam WonchulAs readers of this paper learned last month, Article 17 of Korea’s Immigration Control Act (Sojourn and Departure of Foreigners...
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