The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the ninth periodic report of the Republic of Korea. Positive results had been yielded in this field. A Committee Expert said Filipina women were at great risk of being forced into prostitution in the Republic of Korea. Were there plans to revise the entertainment visa regime?
Were potential exploitative establishments near United States military bases screened? Was there an initiative to cooperate with the United States to share information on sex trafficking schemes? Another Expert asked about the wage gap between men and women, which was at 31 per cent. What was being done to reduce this gap and guarantee a better working environment for women?
Many women were working extended hours; what was being done to reduce the number of hours worked and incorporate more women into the formal economy? The delegation said since January , the Government had restricted the handling of the E62 entertainment visas by third parties to reduce the likelihood of human rights violations.
Premises which were applying for the visas for the first time were visited by Government officials to ensure no illegal activity or exploitation was being conducted. Since , businesses had been required to submit wage data disaggregated by gender to encourage autonomous correction of gender wage gaps.
The Government was aiming to expand support systems for childbirth and childcare and create flexible working environments. Kinam Kim, Assistant Minister, Planning and Coordination Office, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and Head of the Delegation, introducing the report, said the Government had striven to reform laws and institutions and make policy improvements for women across all of society.
