they have never received the training 22 . Although it is mandatory for female
North Korean defectors to receive training on gender equality and human rights
at Hanawon, a resettlement support center for North Korean refugees, many of
them still responded that they have never received the training, indicating that
the training at Hanawon is not sufficient to see the effects.
Out of a total of
392 hours spent on training at Hanawon, program on gender equality and
prevention of sexual violence takes three hours23. Proper amount of time needs
to be spent on the training as three hours are not enough to enhance the
understanding of gender equality and prevention of sexual violence.
77. Regarding the preventive training and counseling related to sexual violence,
training on understanding of female North Korean defectors is required for
educators and counselors who deal with them. In addition, professional training
on sexual violence/domestic violence counseling is needed for people working
for the existing organizations to support female North Korean refugees since
there are limitations on providing proper counseling and training due to their
lack of understanding of female North Korean defectors. On top of the system
hiring counselors reserved for female North Korean refugees at relevant
organizations, a professional training for people (counselors at local resettlement
centers and officers in charge of protective custody) at organizations for female
North Korean refugees should be provided. The professional training is
important as a majority of respondents expressed their intent to “ask for help
from officers in charge of protective custody or counselors” and to “report to the
police” in research conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in
2016.
78. As of September 2017, the total number of North Korean defectors is 31,093 out
of which 71% or 21,908 people are women24. According to the 2016 Settlement
Survey on North Korean Refugees in South Korea conducted by the Korea Hana
22 Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (2016), 「Specific Gender Impact Analysis and Assessment for Policy to
Support Resettlement of North Korean Defectors」p163
23 Hanawon(2016), “2016 Plans for Basic Training Program for Social Adjustment”
24 Ministry of Unification, www.unikorea.go.kr