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Gov't to Rehabilitate Women Sex Workers
By Bae Keun-min
12-25-2002
The Ministry of Gender Equality said yesterday that it will launch a package of
programs next month to help both Korean and foreign women who are victims of
human trafficking for forced prostitution.
Free shelters will be established to help them rehabilitate themselves and
prepare to lead normal lives, the ministry said.
Starting mid-January, Korean and foreign women can seek shelter in
government-funded locations.
"This is the first time that the government has provided a budget to establish
shelters for foreign female residents," said Kim Eun-jeong, a ministry
spokesperson.
"The ministry will not only provide safe shelters for the foreigners, but also
help them solve problems including delayed payment or visa status," she added.
Through public bidding, the ministry will select two civic organizations to run
the shelters for non-Korean residents through a 100 million won budget
(US$83,000). Two other shelters will be set up with 194 million won
(US$162,000) for Korean women, the ministry said.
The ministry signed an agreement Monday with the Korea Legal Aid Corporation to
provide legal aid to the prostitution victims. The government will cover the
costs.
The sex trade has grown as many women from the Philippines, Russia and Vietnam
are trafficked into Korea ostensibly to work as dancers, often being detained
by their employers. The Justice Ministry announced Dec. 12 it would enforce
stricter visa regulations to prevent this.
Last year, about 8,500 foreign female entertainers entered Korea; some 1,200
overstayed their visa, the Justice Ministry said. Among 5,000 E-6 entertainment
visas issued this year, about 2,100 were given to Russians, 1,400 to Filipinos
and 600 to Uzbeks.
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