A local court has dismissed a Kurd's request for refugee status.
The Iraqi national, identified only by his initial M, filed the case two years ago seeking refugee status. The Korean Justice Ministry earlier denied his request for such action
The plaintiff claimed he engaged in anti-government activities and Kurdish separatist movements as a secret member of the Kurdish Democratic Party when he was a university student. But the Seoul Administrative Court Thursday turned down his case citing a lack of evidence.
The court also said that the plaintiff had his claims further undermined by the fact that he successfully completed military service in the Iraqi armed forces and experienced no difficulty obtaining a passport issued by Iraqi authorities.
The case marked the first time a foreigner has challenged the government's denial of refugee status in a South Korean court.
In February, the Ministry of Justice decided to grant refugee status to an Ethiopian asylum seeker.