In South Korea, Afghan evacuees find hope in their new 'special merit' status

FILE PHOTO: A mother carries her child as Afghan evacuees who supported the South Korean government's activities in Afghanistan arrive at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, August 26, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - After many sleepless nights, a 41-year-old Afghan medical doctor successfully left Kabul with his family before the Taliban seized power last month and is set to begin a new life in South Korea.

The Afghan doctor is one of 390 evacuees who arrived in Seoul last week where the government said it was amending immigration laws to grant long-term residency to those who provided special service to South Korea.