{
  "id": 5510725,
  "title": "Korea eases visa extension rules for foreign victims of crime",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/korea-eases-visa-extension-rules-for-foreign-victims-of-crime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:17:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260904/korea-eases-visa-extension-rules-for-foreign-victims-of-crime"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Foreign nationals who have been victims of various crimes, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and other human rights violations, can now apply for permission to stay in South Korea, according to a recent change in the rules by the Ministry of Justice. This revision allows victims to approach immigration offices that have jurisdiction over the shelters where they are residing, instead of the offices pertaining to their registered addresses. The previous requirement to apply for immigration permits at the offices covering their registered addresses had raised concerns, as it could potentially expose the victims' locations and put them in danger. Responding to these concerns, the ministry expanded the rules to ensure that foreign victims would not be forced to return to their former residence areas, where they might encounter their abusers.",
  "summary": "Foreign nationals who are victims of crimes such as domestic violence will now be able to apply for permission to remain in the country, through immigration offices with jurisdiction over the shelters where they are staying. According to the Ministry of Justice, Friday, it has revised the rules to allow foreign victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and other human rights…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea relaxes visa extension rules for foreign crime victims.",
    "Applies to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and human rights violations.",
    "Allows application at immigration offices serving shelters, not registered addresses."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rule change allows foreign victims of crimes to apply for a stay in safer locations, shielding them from potential exposure to their abusers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea eases visa extension rules for foreign victims of crime",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/korea-eases-visa-extension-rules-for-foreign-victims-of-crime-5515948",
        "published": "2026-09-04T07:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}