31. Regarding assisted reproductive technology, IVT treatment is prohibited for unmarried
women. It is necessary to revise the ethical guidelines.
Questions
32. Regarding adoption of a new legislation to guarantee the safe termination of pregnancy,
please provide information on any progress and government’s plan. Please also provide
information on steps taken to include abortion to be covered by the National Health
Insurance, as well as to allow abortion pills.
33. Are there any government plans to make the assisted reproductive technology available
for unmarried women by creating an enabling environment, for example through research
on the public opinions?
Issue 8: Gender Inequality in the Armed Forces
Current Status
34. According to a NHRCK’s 2021 survey, the proportion of women who suffered sexual
harassment in the armed forces reached 32.1 percent, which is four times higher than their
male counterparts’ 8 percent. The closedness and rank-based hierarchy serve as a
mechanism to cover up sexual harassment and sexual violence cases in the military, and
especially for women, who are a minority in the strongly male-dominated military
organization.
35. The proportion of women in the armed forces, which was merely 1 percent (1,600 persons)
in 1990, increased to 7.4 percent (14,000 persons) in 2020. Among commissioned officers,
women are 8.9 percent (6,000 persons), while they comprise 6.6 percent of noncommissioned officers (8,000 persons). Based on the principle of gender equality, the
Defense Personnel Management Directive bans any gender-based restriction on positions.
However, despite the growing number of women in the armed forces and the gender
equality principles, the proportion of female officers in the armed forces sharply decreases
as the position of command goes up: women account for 9.7-12.8 percent of captains; 0.42.6 percent of lieutenant colonels; 0.0-1.0 percent of colonels; and 0.001 percent of
generals.
Questions
36. After the death of an Air Force female officer, a Joint Committee composed of Civil
Society-Government-Military representatives recommended various measures to protect
and support the victims of sexual harassment and violence in the armed forces. Please
provide information on any progress in implementing the recommendations and future
measures to eliminate sexual harassment and violence in the armed forces.
8