Gov't tightens grip on illegal foreign delivery riders amid nearly 17-fold surge in cases

The South Korean government is intensifying enforcement against illegal foreign delivery workers and delivery company systems that enable unauthorized employment, following a nearly 17-fold surge in caught violators. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Police Agency, and Korea Coast Guard recently held joint talks to coordinate a crackdown. Authorities plan to target organized illegal hiring, unlicensed driving, and the unauthorized use of accounts registered under other people's names through joint patrols and expanded agency cooperation.

Data released during a recent parliamentary audit revealed that 1,132 foreign nationals were caught working illegally in the delivery sector from January to August, compared to just 67 throughout the previous year. Under current immigration regulations, only specific visa holders—such as F-2 resident, F-5 permanent resident, or F-6 marriage immigrant visas—are legally permitted to work in delivery, while international students are strictly barred. Major platforms like Baemin faced heavy criticism during the audit for account management loopholes, such as delivery partners advertising that barred individuals could work by using someone else's verification number.

To address these vulnerabilities, the Ministry of Justice and relevant agencies plan to build a standardized identity verification system and improve oversight of delivery agencies. The Korea Immigration Service will enforce stricter penalties, including immediate deportation or departure orders for international students caught working illegally in restricted sectors, regardless of offense frequency. Meanwhile, heightened tensions have emerged on the ground between Korean and foreign delivery workers regarding account sharing and job competition.

Edited using generative AI tools. 
Source: The Korea Times

Comprehension

How much did the number of illegal foreign delivery riders increase compared to the previous year?
Which government ministries and agencies participated in the joint talks to address the issue?
Which specific visa categories are legally allowed to work in South Korea's delivery sector?
How did some unauthorized delivery workers manage to bypass identity checks and use delivery accounts?
What new penalty will international students face if they are caught working illegally in restricted sectors?

Discussion

Why do you think delivery platforms struggle to control account sharing and identity verification?
What are the potential risks when people work under someone else's name in jobs like food delivery?
How should governments balance the labor shortage in service industries with strict immigration laws?
Do you think strict penalties, such as immediate deportation for students, are fair? Why or why not?
Have you ever used a food delivery app? How important is it to you to know who your delivery driver is?
Why do tensions sometimes arise between local workers and foreign migrant workers in tight job markets?
What responsibilities should technology and delivery companies have in monitoring their independent contractors or workers?
If you were a lawmaker, what solutions would you propose to solve illegal employment issues in the gig economy?

Vocabulary

Enforcement – The act of ensuring that people obey laws, rules, or regulations.
Unauthorized – Not having official permission or approval.
Vulnerability – A weakness that makes someone or something open to harm or exploitation.
Deportation – The action of forcing a foreign national to leave a country.
Audit – An official inspection of an organization's accounts, operations, or data.
Loophole – An ambiguity or omission in a law or system that allows people to evade it.
Intensify – To become or make more intense or sharp.
Affiliation – A formal connection or association with an organization or group.