Foreigners staying illegally in South Korea will 1) go through a tighter inspection process before they are allowed to leave the country, the Ministry of Justice announced Sunday.

According to the ministry, the rules will change so that people residing here without permission can 2) no longer leave the country the day they report their departure plans to the authorities, but will have to make the report three to 15 days 3) in advance.

The new rule takes effect Oct. 21 and is being put in place to 4) prevent foreign criminals from fleeing.

People in these circumstances will have to submit their passports and flight tickets when they report their departure, after which they will not be able to adjust the date.

On the scheduled day of departure, the immigration office located at the port of departure will clear the applicants to fly only if they are not wanted by the police for any crimes.

If there is an urgent reason the person must leave the country sooner -- for example, 5) exceptional circumstances such as the death or grave illness of a family member -- he or she will have to present supporting evidence to 6) the immigration office.

The ministry will be receiving applications for the new 7) departure process starting Oct. 14 through www.hikorea.go.kr or the 8) Immigration Service Office website, www.immigration.go.kr.

A national of Kazakhstan fled the nation last month, 18 hours after causing a 9) hit-and-run accident involving a 7-year-old boy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang 10) Province.

The Justice Ministry has requested the 11) extradition of the suspect, and the two governments are still in 12) negotiations.

By Choi Ji-won

Published: 2019-10-06

Source: The Korea Herald

<Word & Expressions>
1) go through: 거치다
2) no longer: 더 이상 ~이 아닌
3) in advance: 미리
4) prevent foreign criminals from fleeing: 외국인 범죄자의 도주를 막다
5) exceptional: 특출한, 극히 예외적인
6) the immigration office: 이민국
7) departure process: 출발 절차
8) Immigration Service Office: 출입국 관리소
9) hit-and-run: 뺑소니치다
10) Province: 지방
11) extradition: (어떤 나라로) 외국 범인의 인도
12) negotiation: 협상