South Korea's Justice Ministry said Monday it decided to round up illegal foreigners in the country to be expelled starting next month, especially those participating in illegal protest rallies and staging anti-departure campaigns to oppose the ministry's efforts to encourage illegal aliens to leave the country voluntarily by the end of this month.

A justice ministry official said the government decided on the hardline stance as such actions could lead to a weakening of public authority and difficulties in carrying out its immigration workforce policies.

Meanwhile, groups of foreign workers took to the streets of downtown Seoul to protest against the ministry's intentions, calling on the government to cancel its forced expulsions and provide for job security.

A few domestic religious and civic groups also held petition-signing campaigns in the city to appeal for the plight of ethnic Koreans from China, currently residing in the country.