In Germany, deportations have significantly increased, with 18,384 individuals expelled from the country from January to November 2024, marking a 20% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. The German government has intensified efforts to deport migrants whose asylum requests have been denied, following a high-profile murder of a police officer in Mannheim in May 2024, which stirred public debate on the treatment of Afghan refugees.
For the entirety of 2023, German authorities deported 16,430 migrants. In 2019, the number was approximately 22,000, but this figure dropped drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, Germany received 213,000 asylum applications, over a third less than in 2023, reflecting a shift in migration patterns.
In South Korea, the Seoul Western District Court has extended the arrest warrant for former President Yoon Seok-yeol at the request of investigators from the High-ranking Officials Criminal Investigation Unit. The original warrant, which expired on January 6, was not executed due to the presence of security personnel at Yoon's residence, resulting in clashes between his supporters and opponents.
Yoon faces accusations related to his declaration of martial law on December 3, aimed at suppressing political rivals. Following public outrage, the National Assembly removed him from office on December 14. The interim presidency has since shifted through various officials, with Choi Sang-mok now serving as acting president, emphasizing the restoration of stability as a primary goal.