The government is considering allowing Afghan citizens residing in the country to be permitted to stay under temporary status, according to Justice Minister Park Beom-kye on Tuesday.

He told reporters in the Gwacheon government complex that the government is likely to apply to Afghans in South Korea the same standard it implemented for Myanmar nationals in the country. 

Earlier in March, when Myanmar was devastated by the military junta's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, the government allowed Myanmar nationals whose visas were about to expire but couldn’t be extended to stay in the nation under temporary status. 

For those whose visas had already expired, the government allowed them to stay until the situation in Myanmar had become safe enough for them to return home voluntarily. 

The government estimates there are some 400 Afghan nationals residing in South Korea.