Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Opens Sexual Violence Reporting Window at Public Institutions... Administrative Orders and Fines Also Imposed

Announcement of Measures to Strengthen Response to Eradicate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Public Sector
Report Center Scheduled to Open on December 1
Minister of Gender Equality to Impose Fines for Noncompliance with Direct Correction Orders

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] As allegations of sexual harassment against public sector heads such as former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don and the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon continue to surface, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) has decided to create and operate a dedicated reporting channel for sexual violence by institution heads.

On the afternoon of the 6th, MOGEF held the Women's Violence Prevention Committee meeting and deliberated and approved the "Measures to Strengthen the Response System to Eradicate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Public Sector," which includes these details, the ministry announced on the 7th.

According to these measures, when reports of sexual harassment by public institution heads are received through the dedicated channel, MOGEF will entrust the investigation to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and in cases of sexual crimes such as sexual assault, will request police investigations. Additionally, if cases related to public institution heads are reported to the institution's grievance counselors, a system will be established to notify MOGEF's reporting center. This is a measure to improve the problem where internal reporting systems have not functioned properly due to fears of secondary damage.

Furthermore, if an institution where a sexual crime has occurred fails to comply with corrective recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission, a bill will be prepared allowing the MOGEF minister to issue direct corrective orders and impose fines for non-compliance. MOGEF plans to promote the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Harassment Prohibition, and Rights Remedy Act centered on these contents. This law will also include obligations to take protective measures for sexual harassment victims. In addition, "disciplinary sentencing guidelines related to secondary harm" will be established to prevent and sanction secondary victimization within organizations.

Reflection of Gender Equality Indicators in Local Government Evaluations
Promotion of Incident Response Consulting
Establishment of Special Training for Senior Officials

MOGEF plans to incorporate gender equality indicators into joint evaluations of local governments to foster a gender-equal culture. It will promote organizational consulting for incident response and systematically manage the establishment of recurrence prevention measures based on this.

Sexual violence prevention education for senior officials in public institutions will also be strengthened. To raise senior officials' awareness of gender equality and gender sensitivity, including institution heads, MOGEF will establish "special training for senior officials" and make the training mandatory. If not properly implemented, it will be publicly announced in the media annually.

Minister Lee Jung-ok of MOGEF stated, "To create a gender-equal and democratic organizational culture, structural and preventive policy efforts are necessary to bridge perception gaps among members by generation and gender," adding, "We will do our utmost in policy efforts to build a gender-equal organizational culture."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.