The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday said it would consider giving out a monthly allowance for children of undocumented immigrants, after being advised by human rights experts.

Yeom Gyu-hong, one of the three independent human rights officers hired by the city government, said excluding illegal immigrant’s children from the city’s monthly childcare allowance program violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which South Korea signed in 1991.

Currently, all Seoul citizens with children aged 6 or under are eligible for a monthly allowance ranging from 100,000 won to 394,000 won ($90 to $360), depending on the child’s age.

However, illegal immigrants who reside in Seoul are not eligible for any allowance for raising or educating their children.

Among the 12 citizen representatives selected by the SMG to make their decision on the matter, eight voted in favor of the rights of undocumented children during their hearing last month.

“The citizen representatives concluded that excluding illegal immigrants from the childcare benefits is an act of discrimination on the basis of their nationality, and we have put this into our decision to advise the SMG,” the human rights experts said in a statement.

Article 2 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child’s rights to education and protection must be ensured regardless of the parent’s or legal guardian’s race; color; sex; religion; or national, ethnic or social origin; among others.

Article 8 of the convention also states that if a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her identity, “States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to reestablishing speedily his or her identity.”

Park Sook-mi from the SMG also said article 2 of the Human Rights Ordinance of SMG applies to those who stay in Seoul temporarily as Seoul citizens.

“There are about 400,000 foreigners who live in Seoul and we strive to be a global city that values and promotes human rights,” said Yeom.

“The SMG should pay more attention to this matter and come up with a proactive plan to protect them.”

In response to the experts’ advice, the SMG said it would launch a study to find out exactly how many illegal immigrants with children reside in Seoul. “After that has been done, we can talk about the needed budget and other things to bring (about) this change,” said Park.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)