Chairperson AHN Kyong-Whan of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) visited 'Doorebang', a center supporting prostitutes in U.S. military campside towns, on Christmas eve of 2007. This was part of an on-site visit program in which the NHRCK visits dead zones of human rights once a month in order to directly ascertain human rights conditions.
YOO Young-Nim, director of Doorebang, briefed the Commission team including Chairperson AHN. In 1986, Doorebang launched its counseling program for prostitutes near a U.S. military base in Ganeung-dong, Uijeongbu. In addition to providing counseling, it strives to root out prostitution, helps prostitutes return to normal life in society, and formulates policy alternatives for their wellbeing.
In 2003, Doorebang investigated conditions of interracial persons in campside towns as commissioned by the NHRCK. The findings provided a foundation for the National Assembly’s ongoing effort to enact the Special Act on Interracial Persons.
Over 90% of women working for prostitution businesses in campside towns are from the Philippines; Korean women constitute the remaining 10%. According to a briefing given by Director Yoo, most of the Korean women manage the women from the Philippines rather than engage in prostitution themselves.
The director pointed out that the government did not have a policy targeting women in campside towns. Some 2,500 to 3,000 foreign women with E6 visas (entertainment visas) enter the country each year. Most of them engage in prostitution at entertainment establishments. Entertainment companies serve as brokers for issuance of E6 visas for these women, but the Korean government has not sought to combat the problem, according to Director YOO.
Chairperson AHN also interviewed two women from the Philippines to hear first-hand about the difficulties that foreign female prostitutes face in the country. The two women worked as entertainers at a club before entering the country on E-6 visas through an agency. Instead of singing and dancing at a club, they had to work in the sex industry including houses of prostitution. Although this is a common predicament, the government has yet to take any action.
Industrial trainees receive training for a certain period of time upon their entry into the country including training on adaptation to Korean society before working at factories. They are also informed of the available forms of relief through organizations directly sponsored by government agencies including migrant workers' centers. However, those who enter the country on E6 visas go through no such training and begin working for clubs and other entertainment establishments upon their entry. Even when they are forced into prostitution, as in the case of said women from the Philippines, they cannot seek practical help, which raises the possibility of gross human rights abuses.
After the interview, it was proposed that a policy review be conducted so that women who enter the nation with E6 visas may, like industrial trainees, receive adequate training or preparation before working for entertainment establishments.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
