- Granting permission to stay temporarily under legitimate G-1 status including suspension
of eviction for foreign victims of prostitution or sexual exploitation with pending
eviction order until the relevant disputes including lawsuits to claim damages
Quotes from an article at June 16 the Hankyoreh daily:
“The State Department of the US criticized on human trafficking and overseas prostitution
by Koreans. Korean men have created an important demand for child (under-aged) sex trips
to Southeast Asia and Pacific islands, but the Korean government has not punished any
Korean who went out to overseas child sex trip, even less making any efforts to diminish
such demand.” (Reporter Kwon Tae-Ho in Washington, US)
Even before the criticism, Korean civil organizations have raised concerns that a large
number of Koreans traveling to Southeastern Asian countries for golf have engaged in
prostitution as if it is a custom. We strongly call for enforcement of law and their
punishment.
The Ministry of Gender Equality which is in charge of prevention of human trafficking
and protection of the victims has worked to provide assistance to victims through active
communications with civil organizations concerning sex trafficking. This helped civil
organizations to gain momentum to be even more active. We expect the MoGE to engage
in even more active communication and cooperation with civil organizations.
3.2 Seoul Metropolitan City
As a part of the plan to improve 5 prostitution blocks in Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan
Government established the Dasi Hamkke Center to provide comprehensive support for
women working inthose blocks. The Center provides counseling, legal and medical
assistance and referral to shelters.
The City Government has commissioned the operation of the association of grassroots
NGO’s called Hansorithe United Voice for Eradication of Prostitution.
The Women & Family policy Affairs Team of the City Government created a task force
team to prevent violence against women in May 2009 and developed many projects that the
City Government alone can implement. They include prevention measures, training and
awareness raising efforts, support for victims of violence to provide general assistance to
victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and prostitution.
40 ❙ Seoul International Conference Against Human Trafficking in Migrant Women