Full-Scale Implementation of Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Support Measures Next Year... Approved by the Cabinet Meeting

Establishment of Policy Council for Prevention of Human Trafficking and Others... Measures to Support Victims to be Prepared
Identification Indicators Confirmed and Announced in First Half of 2023... Early Detection of Victims Encouraged

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] From now on, victims of human trafficking crimes as well as their families will receive various types of support according to the law. In addition, identification indicators that mandatory reporters and related public officials can use to detect victims early are expected to be actively utilized.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced on the 20th that the Enforcement Decree of the "Act on the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims" (Human Trafficking Prevention Act), containing such provisions, was reviewed and approved at the Cabinet meeting.

This enforcement decree includes △ procedures for establishing a comprehensive plan to prevent human trafficking and annual business plans △ content and methods of preventive education such as victim identification △ procedures for victim support including legal counseling △ standards for the establishment and operation of support institutions. The enforcement decree will be promulgated and come into effect on January 1 of next year.

Human trafficking is a criminal method involving recruiting, transporting, delivering, hiding, handing over, or receiving people through acts such as assault, threats, coercion, arrest and confinement, abduction, inducement, or sale, for purposes including prostitution, sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, and organ harvesting.

Accordingly, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family will establish a comprehensive plan to prevent human trafficking through the Human Trafficking Prevention Policy Council (Policy Council) and must report the annual business plans and implementation results submitted by related ministries to the Policy Council. The Policy Council is composed of ex officio members including the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs as chairperson, and heads of related agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, National Police Agency, and Korea Coast Guard, as well as appointed members.

Education will also be provided on victim identification methods through group or remote systems, types and characteristics of human trafficking, prevention and punishment of human trafficking, and indicators related to victim identification and protection. Furthermore, victims will receive various types of support through victim support facilities according to the law. Detailed procedures and methods are stipulated, including support for university enrollment for victims or their minor children, encouragement of social reintegration through vocational training, legal counseling, medical expense support, and repatriation assistance.

In addition, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to establish and implement the 1st Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention of Human Trafficking (2023?2027) and annual business plans by the first half of next year through public hearings, consultations with related ministries, etc. It will also finalize and announce two types of victim identification indicators (field-oriented and international standard types) that mandatory reporters and related public officials can use for early victim detection during the same period. The field-oriented victim identification indicators are based on exploitation types such as prostitution, sexual exploitation, and labor exploitation, while the international standard victim identification indicators reflect domestic and international standards and realities based on the National Human Rights Commission’s indicators.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family intends to continuously conduct awareness-raising promotions to enhance public interest and awareness, which are important for improving victims’ human rights. It will also provide educational materials to welfare facility workers and expand the victim support system through collaboration with related ministries and local governments.

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, said, “Once the system is fully implemented next year, policies on the prevention of human trafficking and protection and support for victims will be operated comprehensively and systematically through cooperation among related ministries and local governments.” She added, “We hope this will be an opportunity to advance toward a society that truly promotes human rights at a level comparable to advanced countries.”

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