The Report on Human Rights Situation in the Republic of Korea
into the town for a concern for sexual crimes, etc.,” and that “it will threaten the
right to live of the residents and the students’ right to safety.”
The NHRCK determined that the residents’ words are racial discrimination and
discriminatory acts prohibited by the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination
Against Persons with Disabilities and Remedy Against Infringement of Their Rights
and the Act on Welfare of Persons With Disabilities for both cases on Sep. 2, 2021 and
Nov. 3, 2021.82) Afterwards, banners with racial discrimination and discrimination
against disabled people some what disappeared, but the construction of the Islam
mosque is still being delayed as of the end of 2021, notwithstanding the decision of
the court.
B) Discrimination and Slander Exposed During the Process of Opposing the
Incorporation into the Local Communities
In Korea, there are many cases where the facilities for the disadvantaged, such
as disabled people, etc., are concluded as unpleasant facilities and opposing them
for the reason of decline in house prices, etc. According to an analysis by the
Alternative Dispute Resolution Center of Korea on complaints related to unwanted
facilities among the group complaints received by Seoul between 2013 and 2016,
the most complaints related to recycling facilities, waste facilities, etc., and the
second most complaints related to daycare and disabled welfare facilities, etc.83)
However, according to the survey by the Ministry of Education in 2017, there was
no meaningful difference in the real estate price near 167 special schools for the
disabled people located nationwide.84) Assertions that the Islam mosque will cause
the neighborhood to become a slum or that disabled people may commit crimes
resulted from prejudice and distorted assumptions.
82) NHRCK, Sep. 2, 2021, 21JinJeong0426300 Decision; NHRCK, Nov. 3, 2021. 21JinJeong0568200 Decision
83) Hankyoreh, “NYMBY society... avoiding even public and welfare facilities’”, Oct. 11, 2017
84) Ministry of Education Press Release and “Policy Study to Seek Progressive Direction to Establish Special
Schools”, Apr. 4, 2017.
84