The Ministry of Justice said Tuesday the number of illegal immigrants in South Korea exceeded 200,000 as of last month, an increase of 35 percent in 12 months.

The ministry said about 499,000 foreigners were staying in the country as of March 31st, more than 40 percent of which, or 200,600, were illegal immigrants.

The ministry said it forecasts a drastic increase in attempts for illegal immigration this year, partly because of the opening of the Incheon International Airport and the resulting change in the immigration inspection system.