Korean Immigration Horror Story - BBC Reporter Complains of "Awful" and Abusive Experience
One of the most overlooked government agencies that continues abusive practices from the past is Korea's immigration office. Almost everybody has had a traumatic experience but doesn't talk about it because of fear that their visa will be denied. Well, a BBC World correspondent tweeted about her 'awful' and verbally abusive experiences with Korean immigration and many echoed her sentiments. Perhaps a white lady is just the crusader we need because they certainly disregard the complaints of Korean Americans.
For a nation so embedded into the international economic and security framework, it is laughable that our immigration system is on the level of a third-world military junta. Do you know you actually have to use Windows Internet Explorer to use the website and are required to buy actual stamps to pay your fees (not postage stamps) to lick and stick on your documents? One foreign resident said he was told parts of the system were deliberately made a mess by a disgruntled employee on his way out right before retirement! That place needs an overhaul and major accountability!
Where to start? Why not benchmark the local government offices where things run extremely smoothly and efficiently? Officials there are required to attach their name to all documents they handle. There's immediate accountability and a paper trail to the employee with whom you worked. It's a practically free solution and it will allow the staff there to take responsibility to fix their own problems and give the public the power to call out abusive staff and have the evidence for it.