Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
'Korea should pass anti-discrimination bill'
Foreign immigrants hold a candle-light vigil for victims of the Sewol ferry sinking in Wongok, Aansan, in this April 26 file photo. / Yonhap
By Park Jin-hai
By Park Jin-hai
The U.N. special rapporteur on racism Mutuma Ruteere on Monday urged Korea to quickly pass anti-discrimination legislation, calling the move a necessity amid demographic shifts.
“I strongly recommend that more attention and effort should be put into enacting that particular piece of legislation,” he told reporters in Seoul after wrapping up a week-long visit to Korea.
“Because without explicit prohibition of racial discrimination and racism, the tools available to victims are limited and therefore there is a need for enactment of this legislation.”
Despite multiple attempts, Korea has been unable to pass such legislation due to conservative opposition to sexual minorities.
Korea is party to a number of international instruments against discrimination, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and UNESCO Convention on the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
Attempts in 2007, 2010 and 2012 to pass an anti-discrimination bill failed due to opposition from religious groups, which opposed the inclusion of sexual minorities.
The official said he has found incidents and problems that are serious enough to merit attention.
“Although I have not been informed of racist or xenophobic discourse and practices at the institutional level, I have been made aware that at the individual level, there have been isolated incidents of private acts of racism,” he said.
“I have informed of the refusal off a naturalized Korean woman to enter a public bath by the management of the facility; of taxi drivers turning into the police customers who do not look like Koreans; and of shop attendants expressing a derogatory attitude to foreign customers,” he said.
“Although these incidents may be isolated cases, it is essential for the government to address the issue of racism and xenophobia through better education and awareness-raising,” he added.
Ruteere said the legislation would allow institutions including the National Human Rights Commission to play a more significant role in receiving complaints from victims and conducting investigations into infractions.
Ruteere’s final report on the visit will be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council, which will deliver recommendations in May 2015.