November 9, 2019
SUBMITTED TO: SOCHUM
FROM: Republic of Korea
SUBJECT: Human Trafficking
Globally, human trafficking is recognized as a modern form of slavery, with an estimated 27 million victims of human trafficking globally. 20% of all human trafficking victims are children, and the victims in some regions of Africa and Mekong children are the majority of victims, up to 100%. Most exploitation is recorded to take place close to the victim’s homes, with domestic trafficking making up the majority of human trafficking. Member states have been implementing the protocol of The United Nations Protocol Against Trafficking, which went into action around 2003., but some countries are unable to implement this protocol due to a lack of political strength, or legal tools.
The Republic of Korea is doing what it can to address and solve this issue. The majority of human trafficking in South Korea is based on sexual exploitation, in which most victims are children, or persons under the age of 18. Between 0.5 and 1.2 million girls work in the sex trade, according to the Korean Feminist Association. In addition to this, around 95% of commercial sex trade is arranged over the internet. This is driven by poverty, uneven development, official corruption, gender discrimination, and multitude of other reasons. Most child trafficking in South Korea is domestic, however most young females trafficked into South Korea come from countries within the Asian region.
The Republic of Korea ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children on November 5, 2015. In the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea is a Tier 1 country, meeting its minimum requirements. This means the government demonstrates serious and sustained efforts and funding and operating facilities to assist trafficking victims. The Palermo Protocol is a treaty designed to promote and facilitate cooperation in combatting human trafficking. Using the Palermo Protocol in a resolution could be one solution. Another solution is to use international human rights laws as a framework for other legislation.
- Annie Cardinale
