The arrest of 11 Vietnamese individuals hiding in a truck on Jeju Island has sparked widespread discussion. This incident highlights issues of illegal immigration and raises questions about trucks as a means of transportation, especially within the unique context of Korean truck culture.
Last weekend, Jeju authorities discovered seven men and four women from Vietnam attempting to leave Jeju Island for Wando, South Jeolla Province. They are suspected of exploiting Jeju’s visa-free entry program to enter the country and seek illegal employment. These individuals hid inside a truck, a risky and dangerous method of travel, demonstrating their determination to find opportunities in South Korea.
Vietnamese people caught hiding in a truck on Jeju Island
The truck, typically used for transporting goods, became a makeshift hiding place in this situation. Images of trucks adorned with Korean lettering are common sights on Korean streets and often feature in stories about the lives of laborers. This “Korean truck culture” reflects aspects of the transportation industry and the work ethic of Koreans, while also representing a unique form of street culture.
A truck with Korean lettering on the side
The Jeju Coast Guard is investigating the network facilitating the illegal entry and how the 11 Vietnamese individuals entered Jeju Island. This case serves as a reminder of the abuse of the Jeju visa-free program, which was designed to promote tourism.
The visa-free program allows citizens from 64 countries, including Vietnam, to stay in Jeju for up to 30 days without a visa. However, it explicitly prohibits those entering under this program from leaving the island for other regions of South Korea. Despite this, authorities in Jeju have recorded a significant increase in the number of Vietnamese nationals entering under the visa-free program who then attempt to travel to other provinces to reside and work illegally.
In December 2024, a similar incident occurred when 38 Vietnamese tourists who arrived in Jeju on a charter flight from Nha Trang disappeared after severing contact with the tourism management unit. It is currently unclear whether the 11 Vietnamese individuals arrested in the truck are related to this group of 38.
Map of Jeju Island showing the location of Jeju City
The arrest of the 11 Vietnamese individuals found in a truck on Jeju Island serves as a reminder of the risks and serious legal consequences of illegally entering and residing in South Korea. It also highlights the complexities of immigration management and the demand for employment among Vietnamese workers abroad. In this context, the image of Korean lettering on trucks can carry multiple meanings, representing both a symbol of the Korean transportation industry and a reminder of the difficult and challenging journeys of those seeking a better life.
Duc Trung (Source: Korea JoongAng Daily, KBS, Yonhap)
