Illegal Employment of Foreign Models, Performance Artists Rampant

It was discovered that a considerable number of foreign fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA), nude models, and professional producers violated the Immigration Control Law (ICL) by getting a job after coming to Korea on a tourist visa.

On July 6, the Seoul Immigration Bureau (SIB) under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said that a total of 10,380 people infringed the ICL in the first half of the year. This number has increased by 370 percent compared to the same period last year, or 2,781 people.

An official of the SIB noted that a great number of those who violated the ICL are foreigners who entered Korea on a tourist visa and illegally got a job, and employers who hired these foreigners.

Fighters in Mixed Martial Arts and Nude Models Prosecuted-

It was found out that a total of 25 foreign fighters who participated in the MMA competition that is recently catching on in Korea, were also illegally employed (in fighting in the competition). In order to compete in the MMA matches, these foreign fighters have to obtain C-4 (short-term employment) visas, but they entered Korea on tourist visas.

The SIB fined them ranging from 500,000 won to 1.5 million won, and five productions of MMA that illegally employed these foreign fighters, including “Gimme Five” were also fined five million won, respectively.

In addition, a Belarusian woman was deported for taking a nude photo, which is being serviced on mobile phones, after coming to Korea for the purpose of participating in a fashion show.

The MOJ currently doesn’t issue a visa to nude models under the provisions of classifying nude models as those who have the potential to deprave social order or good public morals and are prohibited from entering Korea under the ICL.

The woman’s nude photos were distributed via mobile phone services of SK Telecom, KTF, and LG Telecom.

Illegal Employment of Airport Models and an Official from the National Opera Company of Korea-

It was also discovered a total of 15 foreign models that appeared in advertising for Incheon International Airport were illegally hired. These foreign models all entered Korea on tourist visas and left Korea after the advertisement was finished.

The National Opera Company of Korea was exposed for illegally hiring German stage designer Ralph Zeger at a cost of 22 million won while performing the opera “Der Freischütz” from March 22 to 26.

Jin-Young Hwang buddy@donga.com