Lending Your ID Also Gets You Punished: Up to 1 Year in Prison for Koreans
Korean ID lenders are punished for 'aiding illegal employment.' Under the Immigration Control Act, the penalty is up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW, plus a separate administrative fine.
The Ministry of Justice is conducting intensive crackdowns from March 9 to April 30, 2026. Already 58 people have been arrested, with illegal profits from ID rental businesses reaching 120 million KRW. Both the foreign worker and the Korean helper are subject to investigation.
ID rental fee: 10% of delivery commission + monthly fee of 200,000-300,000 KRW
Punishment: up to 1 year prison or 10 million KRW fine + administrative penalty
Punishment by Visa Type & Situation: Deportation vs Fine
The criteria below are based on general case law and Ministry of Justice guidelines. Individual circumstances may vary.
| Visa | Situation | Expected Penalty | Re-entry Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-2 (Student) | First offence, small amount | Fine 5M-10M KRW + visa cancellation + departure order | 3-5 years |
| D-2 (Student) | Repeat offence or large amount | High likelihood of deportation | 5-10 years |
| E-9 (Work) | Unauthorized workplace change + delivery | High likelihood of deportation | 5-10 years |
| E-9 (Work) | First offence, short period, small amount | Fine + unable to extend stay | 3-5 years |
| Korean (ID lender) | Aiding foreign illegal employment | Up to 1 year prison or 10M KRW fine + administrative penalty | N/A |
From Detection to Decision: 5 Steps of the Crackdown Process
You are not deported immediately. The legal process takes about 2-3 months. Hiring a lawyer at each stage can change the outcome.
① Submit appeal within 5 days (strict deadline)
② Prepare letter of reflection + proof of economic contribution
③ Attend Immigration Tribunal hearing
④ Await suspension or reduction decision (1-2 weeks)
Step 1: Report & On-site Crackdown
The crackdown starts from tips, platform data, or on-site inspections. Delivery platform account information becomes key evidence. Running away at this point worsens the situation.
Step 2: Immigration Office Questioning (Within 72 Hours)
Immigration authorities conduct questioning within 72 hours of arrest. You have the right to request an interpreter. Your statement affects all subsequent procedures. Hire a lawyer at this stage first.
Step 3: Stay Restriction or Detention
After questioning, authorities may restrict your stay or detain you at an immigration detention center. You can meet your lawyer even while in detention. Detention center contact: Seoul Immigration Office (☎ 1345).
Step 4: Referral to Prosecutor & Decision
The immigration office refers the case to the prosecutor. The prosecutor decides whether to indict or not. If it is your first offence and you are cooperative, you may receive a non-indictment (suspension of prosecution). The entire process takes 2-3 months.
Step 5: Deportation Order or Appeal
If you receive a deportation administrative order, you can appeal within 5 days. Submit the appeal to the Immigration Tribunal. The Tribunal conducts a hearing within 1-2 weeks, then issues a final decision. Missing the 5-day deadline means losing the right to appeal.
Which Case Applies to Me? Response Guide by Visa Type & Role
Find your situation below.
FAQ on Getting Caught for Illegal Delivery Work
Am I Subject to Deportation? Quick Decision Flow
Answer the questions to find out your situation and recommended actions. This is not legal advice — professional consultation required.
Immigration Specialist Lawyer Network
The 5-day appeal deadline after detection is hard to handle alone. GLTR Life partner lawyers offer consultations in Vietnamese, Chinese, and English.
📞 1345