SAUDI ARABIA’S RESPONSE TO SOUTH KOREAN REFUGEE CRISIS: HUMANITARIAN AID WITH LIMITED COMMITMENT

 By Mekakannika. K

Saudi Arabia’s solution for the crisis—South Korea’s citizens fleeing their country and seeking refugee abroad due to a fallout from North Korea’s nuclear weapon testing—was that they would provide the South Korean refugees with healthcare, education, and temporary shelter in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Additionally, they claimed that they would also give humanitarian aid to the refugees through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Saudi Arabia is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 protocol, which means it does not have a legal obligation to provide permanent refuge under international law. Historically, Saudi Arabia has referred to refugees as “guests” and “visitors”, rather than using the term “refugees”, which underscores the temporary nature of their stay. 

Canada raised a question to the delegates of Saudi Arabia on its strict policies on formally accepting refugees, to which the delegates mentioned their Vision 2030 development program. 

The vision seeks to transform the country’s economy, society, and culture. As the delegates of Saudi Arabia stated, that the vision aims to provide employment opportunities to skilled workers from other countries, refugees included. However, Vision 2030 doesn’t directly address or change the country’s strict policy of formally accepting refugees.

Saudi Arabia’s authoritarian government strictly controls refugee policies. It prioritizes national security and stability over international law. Reports of abuse, detention in poor conditions, and violent border control practices highlights the government’s strict approach to managing foreign populations. With the lack of public debate and input from civil society on refugee policies, there is absolutely no pressure on the government of Saudi Arabia to reform these policies or adopt more humanitarian approaches. 

Despite its promises of aid, Saudi Arabia’s refugee policies remain deeply restrictive, driven by authoritarian control, making its promises of support hollow in the face of its unwillingness to offer true asylum.