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Source: ONE News -
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Hundreds of Koreans who hope to become New Zealand citizens have been caught up in a messy dispute involving police and Korean government officials.
Court appointed liquidators called police to remove Wasan International's owner, Edward Kang, and to shut down the company's Auckland offices.
Kang has been an immigration consultant for almost 20 years.
The liquidators say he has charged potential migrants up to $40,000 often for unsuccessful residency applications.
They say they are investigating debts which could exceed $2 million.
"A lot of people have lost a lot of money dealing with Mr Kang and hopefully as a result of this, there wont be too many more," says Wasan International Liquidator, Damien Grant.
However Kang rejects the liquidator's claims.
"Nobody has complained, nobody has contacted me at all, so at this stage the service that we have provided, has been quite happy," he says.
Kang is no stranger to controversy.
The Asia Downunder programme confronted him four years ago about withholding the passport of one client because of unpaid fees.
When liquidators searched Wasan's offices this week, they found dozens of passports.
"Some of those passports were handed over to the New Zealand Immigration Service and unfortunately some of those people were overstayers," says Grant.
After a two hour standoff on Saturday, Kang agreed to leave the building to allow Korean consulate officials to collect hundreds of files.
"The Korean consulate will keep their files and passports and documents in a safe place so they can contact, they can collect their files," says Hakjun Lee, Korean Consulate Lawyer.
Kang has accused the liquidators of being cowboys and says he will try to overturn the liquidation order.
He has also formed a new company to carry on the immigration business.
Meanwhile the Immigration Minister says he expects his department to investigate Wasan International and will closely monitor developments.
If you have had issues with Edward Kang ONE News would like to hear from you. Contact us at 09 916 7266 or via email at news@tvnz.co.nz
