Sexual Violence in South Korea: Preventative Measures are Desperately Needed

Over the past few decades, South Korea has seen unprecedented economic growth, firmly attributed to the hyper-focused economic reforms of previous administrations. However, this economic transformation has also deepened social and economic inequality in South Korea, particularly against women. Historically, South Korean women have wielded little to no political, economic, and social power. While the economic boom allowed more women to enter the workforce, they do so only at low-level positions, rarely reaching high-paying employment. Moreover, women - in all positions- more often than not, have experienced some form of sexual harassment. A 2015 survey found that eight  out of 10 of its respondents had experienced some form of sexual harassment, most of which occurred during hwaesik or company dinner outings. The survey also found that those sexually harassed are often young female employees and are unlikely to report the harassment to authorities or higher-level management, citing fear of being fired or experiencing further workplace discrimination. 

According to a study conducted by the Korea Women's Hotline in collaboration with the South Korean police, a woman is killed every 1.8 days, which accounts for more than half the homicide rates, one of the highest rates of femicide in the world. Moreover, an increasing concern is sexual violence's transition to online forums. This ranges from abuse on social media platforms to surveillance by spycams, known as tech-facilitated abuses. These abuses have taken a particular stronghold in South Korea, where technology has rapidly taken over everyday life. Incidents of illegal filming, sharing sexually explicit images, and even faking these images, have become increasingly prevalent in South Korea. While rape, harassment, and assault are illegal in South Korea, the South Korean legal system has continuously disappointed victims and does nothing to deter violence against women. 

South Korean courts are notably lenient in conviction and sentencing of sex crimes. The South Korean legal system often views violent episodes such as domestic violence or sexual assault as private matters, in which the court should have no say. A contributing factor to this issue is that only 30 percent of judges and four percent of police officers are female. It was not until 2020 that South Korea raised its age of consent from 13 to 16. Even if someone is convicted of a sex crime, the assailant is more often than not given a suspended sentence, meaning even though they have been found guilty of a crime, they are not sentenced to jail but have the possibility of being sentenced in the future if they commit another crime within a certain period. Essentially, the assailant receives no punishment whatsoever, and the victim is further persecuted by the very system supposedly protecting those assaulted or harassed and finding justice for them. 

Furthermore, once a victim tries to file a case against an assailant, the behavior and actions of police officers are degrading and shameful. Police officers are known to mock and often belittle victims during interrogations, further encouraging and supporting a system of violence and revictimization that discourages victims from coming forward. 

A societal cloud of shame surrounds gender-based violence. Society teaches women to be submissive and passive. Women are seen as objects, in which their actions and behaviors are to blame for assault, harrasment, or rape. They are to blame for the actions of their assailants. To give a reason for this violence, a culture in which women are consistently shamed and silenced is strategically woven into the foundation of society, and while the government’s policies focus on the aftermath of the crime, none genuinely address the roots of the problem. 

Sex education is a crucial factor in how society views the power dynamics between men and women, and the sex education curriculum currently in place in South Korea perpetuates violent stereotypes and sexist attitudes. Perpetrators of sexual crimes often cite their distorted and widely promoted view on sex as a reason for their crimes. Sex education in South Korea is segregated between female and male genders, one not learning about the other. In 2015, the South Korean Ministry of Education introduced the "National Level of School Sexual Education Standards". Much of the content in the curriculum focused on sexual assault teaches the girls that they are at fault for any and all sexual violence committed towards them while downplaying the role men or boys play.. 

Adult attitudes surrounding young people often affect the distortion in their view of sex. Few adults in the education system take sex crimes seriously, especially when they occur in school. Many dismiss the actions of student assault and often silence the victims, too concerned about the school's reputation. Parents of sex offenders and faculty of the school often defend the offenders by claiming that all boys have a natural sexual impulse and it is up to the victim - often female - to defend themselves and behave in a manner that does not invite their advances.  When action is not taken against young offenders, it perpetuates the notion that it is okay to commit such crimes; it encourages these actions  since they are  only a natural impulse. In general, the curriculum focuses on actions of abstinence and shame.

There is an overall fundamental failing by the South Korean government and society. While there are policies, initiatives, and organizations that try to work on the aftermath of the assault, the South Korean government fails to prevent these violent episodes from occuring in the first place. The Ministry of Education must completely revamp and remove its current sex education curriculum. A cirriculum which should encapsulate a more holistic view of sex education that involves avenues of contraception, discourages violence of all sorts, encourages the inclusion of LGBTQ initiatives and information on the growing prevalence of digital sex crimes. Policymakers need to focus on preventative and proactive approaches which invoke a shame-free network of inclusion and sensitivity to violence. The South Korean assembly must not simply sign sexual assault legislation policies into law without ensuring measures. The Ministry of Education must create a committee that actively monitors the education initiatives, ensuring instructors teach the curriculum assigned to them.