The Social Science Research Institute (Director Seol Dong-hoon) will hold an international conference on Thursday, June 9 titled "Refugee Protection and Citizenship in Fragmented Societies," jointly with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Korea Representative James Lynch and the Dongcheon Foundation (Chair Kang Yong-hyun).

The conference marks the 30th anniversary of the Republic of Korea's accession to the Refugee Convention, which affirmed the country's commitment to refugee protection, and the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Refugee Act—the first such law in Asia. Under the theme "Refugee Protection and Citizenship in Fragmented Societies," the conference will be held simultaneously in person at Community House Masil (Page Myeong-dong) and online via Zoom webinar.

Following opening remarks by James Lynch, UNHCR Korea Representative; Kang Yong-hyun, Chair of the Dongcheon Foundation; and Seol Dong-hoon, Director of the JBNU Social Science Research Institute, attorney Il Lee of the Public Interest Law Center A-Peel will deliver the keynote presentation titled "The Refugee Convention and the Present and Future of the Refugee Act." Attorney Il Lee will point out the limitations of the Refugee Convention and the Refugee Act, call for the development of global solidarity protection measures for the clearly forthcoming increase in refugees, and urge securing the social position of refugees already living in Korean society.

In the first session, attorney Kim Yeon-ju (Refugee Rights Center) will present "Problems of Policies Restricting Refugee Reapplications and Restoring the Rights of Reapplicants," noting that most refugee reapplicants are legally unable to access livelihood support, medical assistance, housing support, and work permits; are not covered by health insurance; lack valid identification documents; and therefore cannot conduct normal daily life. Attorney Kim Jong-cheol (Public Interest Law Center A-Peel) and Research Fellow Jang Ju-young (Korea Immigration Policy Institute) will present on "The Principle of Non-Refoulement and the Forced Deportation of Recognized Refugees" and "Discussions on Reforming Humanitarian Stay Status," respectively.

In Session 2, Naohiko Omata (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford) will present "Refugee Self-Reliance in Host Countries," noting that global reductions in international support for protracted refugee situations have increased interest in refugee self-reliance, but that obstacles such as restrictions on labor rights, limited access to financial services, harassment, xenophobia, and discrimination prevent its realization. He argues that host governments must create the necessary environment for refugee self-reliance and foster a socially welcoming atmosphere. Mustafa Alio (R-SEAT, Refugees Pursuing Equal Participation) and Researcher Kim Cheol-hyo (JBNU Social Science Research Institute) will present on "Refugee Self-Reliance in Host Countries," "Refugee Participation in Policy Making (Canada Case)," and "Refugee Self-Help Activities and Civic Subjectification during COVID-19," respectively.

In the final session, Senior Policy Research Officer Cha Yong-ho (UNHCR) will present "Cooperation between Governments and UNHCR for Refugee Influx, Contribution, and Integration," introducing the "complementary pathways" that UNHCR and the international community have developed and implemented to supplement resettlement. He will call for cooperation among UNHCR, the Korean government, and the private sector to introduce refugee higher education programs as a complementary pathway to supplement Korea's current resettlement system. Dr. Park Sang-hee (University of Seoul) and John Bogaerts, Senior Political Officer (Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea), will present on "Structural Barriers to Refugee Settlement in Korean Society" and "Refugee Reception and Integration in the European Union," respectively.

Seol Dong-hoon, Director of the Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Social Science Research Institute, said the conference provides "an opportunity to reflect on how refugees—emerging as new settlers in Korean society—contribute to reconfiguring the concept and categories of citizenship in a fragmented society." He added that he hopes the event will serve "as a forum to consider how domestic and international experiences can contribute to the development of national policy and international norms."