Key Activities
The study included a multi-language survey of migrants from various countries to share their
experience of racial discrimination. The valid responses from 310 respondents were analyzed, of
which 22 were interviewed in depth.
For reasons of discrimination, more than half of the respondents (50%) chose “Korean language
ability” (62.3%), “Not being a Korean” (59.7%), “Country of origin” (56.8%), and “Way of
speaking (accent)” (56.6%). Other answers chosen were “Economic level” (36.9%), “Occupation”
(35.6%), “Gender” (19.0%), and “Religion” (18.6%), indicating that there are many different
reasons for discrimination.
By discrimination offender, respondents selected court workers (41.0%), managers at the
workplace (supervisor, employer, etc.) (38.0%), immigration office personnel (35.2%), friends
and colleagues in affiliated group (30.7%), and passers-by or someone unknown online (28.0%).
This suggests a need for state workers to comply with non-discrimination and to change public
perception .
Respondents were in favor of regulations to counter racial discrimination. They selected
“legislation to prohibit racial discrimination by state and public institutions, and by all individuals,
groups, and organizations” (86.8%), “punishing acts that encourage or stimulate racial
discrimination” (88.9%), and “more heavily penalizing racially-motivated crimes” (81.8%).
The study looked into patterns of racial discrimination in Korea in the historical and social
contexts, sorted out different categories of racial discrimination based on experiences shared
by migrants, and proposed legislation and guidelines to counter racial discrimination and racial
crimes.
E. Survey of Human Rights Conditions and Perceptions in the Military
(including conditions facing female service personnel)
In 2019, the Commission carried out a survey of human rights conditions and perceptions
in the military (including conditions faced by female service personnel). This was triggered by
considerations that, despite heightened public interest in human rights issues, more improvements
are needed and there still exists blind spots in the military.
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