Will a Law Prohibiting Hate Speech Based on Race, Nation, and Culture Be Established? (Comprehensive)

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Announces Revision of Multicultural Families Support Act
To Prevent Promotion of Discrimination and Prejudice

The above photo is not directly related to the article. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A plan to legally prohibit hate speech related to specific races, countries, or cultures is being promoted.

Kim Kyung-sun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, held a briefing on the theme of "Multicultural Family Inclusion Measures" at the Government Seoul Office on the 11th, stating, "Everyday discrimination and alienation experienced by multicultural families are intensifying," and added, "We plan to revise the 'Multicultural Family Support Act' to establish a legal basis to prevent anyone from promoting discrimination or prejudice through hate speech related to specific races, countries, or cultures."

Vice Minister Kim explained, "This is the first time legally establishing grounds against discriminatory and hateful remarks," and added, "Not immediately introducing sanction regulations does not mean it lacks effectiveness." Although there are criticisms that the definition of hate and punishment standards are ambiguous, spreading the awareness that such acts themselves are prohibited is meaningful enough.

He continued, "If the level of hate speech is severe enough to meet the requirements of the criminal offense of insult under the Criminal Act, that part is already punishable under current regulations by imprisonment for more than one year or a fine of over 2 million won," he added.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to operate a "Multicultural Monitoring Team" through the Korea Health and Family Promotion Institute to monitor government publications and educational materials for discriminatory elements and recommend improvements. There are cases where children with Korean nationality who return to their home countries after divorce or bereavement face difficulties in obtaining passports, resulting in illegal stay, and measures to resolve this will also be prepared.

For multicultural families, additional criteria such as income standards and the number of minor children will be added when selecting candidates for special supply of national housing. This is to provide support considering the urgency of demand, focusing on vulnerable groups. For multicultural soldiers, the Ministry of National Defense will revise policies to provide alternative meal options suitable for vegetarians or Muslim religious soldiers. Also, from April next year, marriage immigrants who become single parents in de facto relationships without legally registering their marriage will be eligible for single-parent support.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will establish specific scopes to prevent gender-discriminatory advertisements by international marriage brokers. "Gender sensitivity" and "Understanding of Multicultural Society" will be added to broker education. Regarding support for rural bachelors' international marriages, a special gender impact assessment will be conducted to check for gender discrimination.

Vice Minister Kim said, "We will identify the status and realities of marriage immigrants and promote system improvements," and added, "We will also push for amendments to the Crime Victim Protection Act so that foreign marriage immigrants who suffer from crimes can receive relief funds regardless of reciprocity."