The number of foreigners who applied for asylum here for reasons of racial, religious and political persecution in their home country has exceeded 1,000 in the 14 years since Seoul signed the Refugee Convention in 1992.

Korea Immigration Service said Thursday 1,002 people has sought asylum here  so far. The cases of 340 were heard, and 50 were granted refugee status and 44 permitted to stay on humanitarian grounds.

The largest number came from China with 251, followed by Burma with 149, Uganda with 70, Nepal with 67, Congo with 64, Ivory Coast with 53, Nigeria with 40 and Bangladesh with 35.

The Justice Ministry is to hold a workshop for refugee experts from international organizations including the KIB and UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the private sector at the BIK office in Seoul on Friday.