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Some 24,000 foreign nationals living in Korea without permission left the country between Sept. 11 and Feb. 29 under an amnesty program.

An official at the Ministry of Justice told The Korea Times on Wednesday that the foreign nationals who had been staying here illegally ― just over 5 percent of all foreign residents without visas ― voluntarily returned to their countries during the six-month period.

Compared with the same period the previous year, the number of self-reports increased by 24.5 percent, the official added.

Those who left Korea voluntarily under the program have been exempt from paying fines ― up to 30 million won ($24,000) ― and will be allowed to reenter.

The goal of the amnesty was to reduce the burden on immigration officials, who are struggling with a steady increase in the number of undocumented residents, mainly for economic reasons, and to build trust with the foreign community here.

The release of the data comes amid growing calls to strengthen controls on foreign nationals living in the shadows. According to the ministry, the estimated number of such residents grew steadily to reach the 420,000 mark for the first time last year. Only 10 years ago, it was around 200,000.