Exploitation as Human Trafficking... Government Strengthens Victim Support and Crime Prevention Efforts

1st Human Trafficking Prevention Policy Coordination Meeting
Strengthening Human Trafficking Prevention and Targeted Education
Enhancing Early Victim Identification and Customized Support

From now on, acts of exploitation targeting individuals will also be considered human trafficking. Identification indicators for early detection of victims will be developed, and support facilities to protect them will be expanded.

On the 27th at 10 a.m., the government held the 1st Human Trafficking Prevention Policy Coordination Council at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, to review the "1st Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention of Human Trafficking, etc. (2023?2027)." During the council meeting, the draft announcement of victim identification and protection indicators for human trafficking and the draft operation plan for a victim counseling hotline were also discussed.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is speaking at the 1st Policy Coordination Meeting on the Prevention of Human Trafficking held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 27th.
[Photo by Ministry of Education]

The Human Trafficking Prevention Policy Coordination Council is a consultative body under the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, established according to the "Act on the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims, etc." (hereinafter referred to as the Human Trafficking Prevention Act), which came into effect in January this year, to facilitate cooperation and coordination among related ministries.

This comprehensive plan was formulated to comprehensively and effectively implement prevention, protection, and crime response policies related to human trafficking, which had previously been pursued separately by each ministry, at a government-wide level. It was developed through consultations with academia, research institutions, local activists, public hearings, and the collection of opinions from related ministries, while also reflecting international trends through analysis of overseas cases, resulting in the establishment of four key priority tasks.

First, the plan promotes public awareness to move away from a narrow perception of human trafficking as limited to "people trafficking" or focusing solely on outcomes such as abduction, confinement, or assault, encouraging recognition that links the purpose of exploitation, means, and elements of the act.

Additionally, systematic education for responsible public officials will be provided, and efforts by companies to prevent and combat human trafficking will be supported and strengthened.

Furthermore, victim counseling hotlines and support facilities will be established and operated to protect victims, and the use of "victim identification and protection indicators" for early detection of victims will be expanded. Tailored support will also be strengthened according to victim types.

Legal provisions related to crimes such as human trafficking will be revised, and a cooperative system among investigative agencies will be established for prompt action on cases, while protection of victims' rights during investigation and trial procedures will be enhanced.

Moreover, infrastructure such as central and regional support facilities will be expanded, and international cooperation will be strengthened to establish a foundation for policy support. The Korea Women's Human Rights Institute will establish a "Central Victim Rights Protection Agency," and "Regional Victim Rights Protection Agencies" will be set up in each city and province, considering the number of victim cases, policy demand, and conditions.

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is speaking at the 1st Policy Coordination Meeting on the Prevention of Human Trafficking held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 27th.
[Photo by Ministry of Education]

In addition, the government plans to develop and announce the draft victim identification and protection indicators pursuant to Article 13 of the Human Trafficking Prevention Act. The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will recommend the use of the announced victim identification indicators to public officials involved in inspection, judicial police management, immigration control, and foreigner-related duties, and will collect annual usage performance reports by January 31 each year to report the results to the council.

A "Human Trafficking Victim Counseling Hotline" will also be established and operated in connection with counseling centers of related ministries to provide victim counseling, information provision, linkage to investigative agencies in emergencies, and tailored support by victim type. The counseling hotline will be operated by the Central Victim Rights Protection Agency, and if foreign victims require interpretation, support will be provided in cooperation with the Danuri Call Center or the Foreigners' Comprehensive Information Center.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho stated, "With the establishment of this joint comprehensive plan by related ministries, I hope that human trafficking prevention policies will be effectively implemented over the next five years, and that South Korea will become a human rights advanced country befitting its status as the world's 10th largest economy through our collective efforts."

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Hyun-sook also said, "We have prepared this comprehensive plan through the collection of opinions from various sectors of society and coordination among related ministries to respond to human trafficking, which had previously been pursued separately by each ministry. We will do our best to ensure that the comprehensive plan is implemented, victim identification indicators are utilized, and tailored support for victims is strengthened so that a society where human rights are respected and human trafficking is eradicated can be established."

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