UNHCR begins operations in Seoul

The Seoul office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) began operations here recently, the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said Sunday. Until now, the UNHCR has dealt with refugee affairs in South Korea by stationing an officer in Seoul from its Tokyo-based liaison office, a ministry officer said. James Kobar, a UNHCR senior liaison officer, is expected to be named the first head of the office. The office is in a building owned by the Anglican Church of Korea in downtown Seoul and will officially open in early June.

Boo Hyung-Kwon bookum90@donga.com