[Side B] "The Owner Who Secretly Filmed in the Bathroom Remains, Only My Dream Disappeared" Tears of a Mongolian Woman

A Proud Minority, A Better Non-Mainstream World

Employment Permit System for Foreigners, Hoping for a Better Life in Korea
Enduring Sexual Harassment and Assault by Employers to Meet Re-Entry Special Permit Requirements

Hidden Camera Found in Toilet Bowl
Reported to Police but Employer Not Punished

The above photo is not related to the article. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "Before considering nationality, we are all the same human beings. Just because we come from a developing country doesn’t mean we have to endure humiliation... As an individual in this country, I have never broken the law. I have the right to live well and the right to have my human rights protected. As a woman, I could no longer endure human rights violations... so I found the courage."

Er (pseudonym, 31), a Mongolian national, came to Korea under the Employment Permit System for foreigners. The excitement she felt before entering the country still lingers. She believed she could live happily and earn a good income in Korea. She trusted that Korea, being a developed country and a place where foreigners could work, would have proper laws and good systems in place. Even though she had to leave her young son with her mother back home, she did not hesitate to complete the job registration process, which required a two-year wait. Having completed a master’s degree in Mongolia, she studied Korean diligently and dreamed of the day her son would study in Korea.

She started working at a small manufacturing factory in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, where she operated embroidery machines. The joy of employment was short-lived as the business owner, referred to as "boss," began inappropriate physical contact. He even committed sexual harassment, demanding kisses. Despite her repeated and firm refusals, she was met only with responses like "You’re the only one who’ll lose out."

"He kept touching me without my permission, which caused me a lot of stress. Around 2018, I asked to transfer to another workplace and requested to file a resignation, but he said he would report me as having absconded. He threatened to report me to be sent back to Mongolia. I was very scared."

Having come to Korea to support her family’s livelihood, she could not just return home. Every night, thinking about her young son she missed, she told herself to endure. If she could hold on a little longer, she could fulfill the 4 years and 10 months required to qualify for the re-entry special system. This system allows re-entry three months after departure and enables work extension for 4 years and 10 months.

Two months before her employment period qualifying for the re-entry special system expired, Er faced a shocking incident. She discovered a hidden camera in the bathroom. This bathroom was shared by Er, other female factory workers, and the business owner. She was terrified and trembling. An overwhelming sense of shame washed over her. She reported it to the police, saying she could not bear it without reporting. According to the police, the business owner admitted to installing the camera.

Since then, Er has not been able to go to work at the factory. However, the business owner has not been punished. The police added that there was only one video from the hidden camera. The factory continues to operate openly.

"I am mentally and physically exhausted, but the boss is still making money as before. He is the one at fault..."

He cautiously continued.

"Foreign women and foreign workers are vulnerable in Korea. They don’t speak Korean well and are unfamiliar with Korean culture. The business owner acts as if he can do whatever he wants because he brought me here. It’s really absurd. If a Korean woman worked there, would he have touched her inappropriately or withheld her wages? I thought Korea was a country where even the president could be peacefully impeached and everyone could cooperate to rise together, but apparently not."

She said that just recalling the day she found the hidden camera still makes her stomach churn and brings tears to her eyes.

Though her mother and son came to Korea, she couldn’t take leave without the boss’s permission
On days she was told to take leave,
it was counted as absence and deducted from next month’s salary

The re-entry special system allows for long-term stable employment, but it is easy to abuse. To qualify, one must not change workplaces even once during the 4 years and 10 months and must work at the previous workplace for at least one year after re-entry, effectively binding the worker to the employer. Even if Er qualifies for the re-entry special system, she must work at the factory of the business owner who installed the illegal camera for at least one more year.

"He doesn’t follow the law and disrespects it. He even installed an illegal camera out of curiosity and is still making money. It’s really ironic."

Er is also hurt that she has never been able to take a proper trip with her son, who came to Korea to see his grandmother. While she was working, her son and mother visited Korea twice.

"I told the boss that my son was coming to Korea with my mother and asked if I could have just one week off, but he said no, so I couldn’t take time off. I thought since he has a son, he would understand, so I asked for just three days off, thinking there was no work at that time and he would agree, but he said no. It was very sad."

She could not take leave when she wanted, but on days the business owner suddenly said she could rest, it was counted as an absence and deducted from her next month’s salary. The unpaid wages she is owed amount to millions of won, but the business owner has threatened, "I will never pay. If this is not true, sue me."

"It’s unfortunate that this happened just before my visa expired, but I started this so that other workers there wouldn’t suffer the same harm or be hurt because of me. I want to tell other colleagues that if they are harmed, they have the right to refuse. And if the business owner is punished, maybe other companies around will realize they must not mistreat foreigners."

Er, who often showed tears during the interview, feels deeply sorry that not only she but also her family and husband have been hurt by this incident. She wishes to return to the happy days with her husband. Will she be able to smile like before?

"This is an incident that won’t be easily forgotten and will probably haunt me for life. But if proper punishment is carried out, I believe my human rights and dignity as a woman can be restored."