Human Rights Commission: "Care-Leaving Children Without Self-Reliance... Measures Needed to Promote Their Human Rights"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea on the 21st recommended the government to improve laws and systems to address the realities faced by children aging out of care who experience difficulties in employment, housing, and education during their transition to independence.

According to the Human Rights Commission, about 30,000 children in Korea are under protection in forms such as child care facilities, group homes, and foster care due to various reasons including parental poverty, unemployment, abuse, or death.

However, as of 2019, 2,587 children reached the age of 18 and had their protection terminated regardless of their ability to live independently. The problem is that, as of 2016, 40% of children aging out of care had experienced receiving basic living subsidies, the average university enrollment rate was only 52%, and their average monthly income was merely 1.23 million KRW, indicating that they live in difficult circumstances.

The Human Rights Commission judged that it is necessary to establish a support system tailored to the individual needs of children aging out of care and to improve laws and systems to ensure practical support for their independence. Accordingly, it recommended the Ministers of Health and Welfare, Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Employment and Labor to provide housing and employment support for the independence of children aging out of care.

The Human Rights Commission stated, "We hope this recommendation will contribute to creating a legal and institutional environment for the independence of children aging out of care and, furthermore, to the substantial enhancement of their human rights."

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