This article highlights how the discourse on discrimination, formed under the recognition of gender equality, effected the legislative process of discrimination prevention act, and focuses on the structure and contents of possible anti-discrimination ...
This article highlights how the discourse on discrimination, formed under the recognition of gender equality, effected the legislative process of discrimination prevention act, and focuses on the structure and contents of possible anti-discrimination act and on the necessity for renewed debate of its legislation. Overall, Korean society has been developing towards securing equal freedom for all its members by lessening inequality and strengthening common rights. As democracy ripens and the system of judicial relief is developed, realization of basic human rights takes effect. Equal Rights and the derived anti-discrimination legislation should be developed in coordination within such process.
Current discrimination prevention legislation consists of The National Human Rights Commission Act which acts as general anti-discrimination act and individual Disability Discrimination Prevention Act, Age Discrimination Prevention Act, Contingent Worker Discrimination Prevention Act. The legislative process of these acts are as follows;
Korean anti-discrimination legislation began with Gender Discrimination Prevention Act. The discourse on gender discrimination that initiated from securing Equal Rights of women with men through judicial means is developing to incorporate new principles of substantial equality. Feminist movement on gender discrimination, international standards, legislation of the United States and European Union members have influenced the enactment of the act.
Discrimination discourse based on women's daily experiences developed into feminist movement and the influence of the legislative process of Gender Discrimination Prevention Act which ensured legal status of women within existing judicial system can be found in fields other than gender. The reason gender discrimination discourse and its institutionalization experience could influence various areas of discrimination such as disability, age is because discrimination in general occurs in the same framework as gender discrimination. Through enactment of Gender Discrimination Prevention Act legal definition of ‘direct discrimination’, ‘indirect discrimination’, ‘harrassment’ and terms such as bona fide occupational qualification, affirmative action, conversion of liability of proof, assistance of litigation that allows substantial rather than formal equality have been established. As various issues of discrimination including disability, age, contingent labourer, ethnicity were raised, these terms have been accepted as the basis of discussion for the legislation of discrimination prevention act including general rules of anti-discrimination, definition and standard of judgement of discrimination, and active means of relief and prevention.
When the need for anti-discrimination act was raised, it was discussed as a individual act, not as basic rights. In realizing Equal Rights upon individual cases, there is limitation to preventing discrimination through legislation. However, since the law and the reality are not separate, it is important to establish effective legislation and judicial system.
Relief of discrimiation, the main point of anti-discrimination act, can be divided into discrimination correction mechanism and relief measures by the court. Relief by discrimination correction mechanism include recommendation of arbitration and rectification, order of correction, and assistance for litigation. Most disputed 'correction order' was planned to be introduced in cases where decision of recommendation is not followed without just cause, and the act of discrimination is grave and its effect on public good is serious. If the order of correction is introduced under such limited boundaries, it is not inadequate amount of power for a correction organization. Although assistance for litigation was recognized as discrimination, if defendant does not comply with The National Human Rights Commission‘s decision and the case is considered important, the correction organization can support litigation upon petitioner's request. This mechanism is to ensure effective victim relief since in many discrimination cases, victims are the socially weak who have difficulties filing lawsuit.
Relief measures by the court include temporary act of power, damage compensation, conversion of the liability of proof. Temporary act of power is to order necessary temporary measures such as suspension of the acts of discrimination on case of proven discrimination before or during litigation process until final court ruling is issued. If the existence of damage due to discrimination is recognized but the victim can not prove property loss, it is assumed to be equivalent to property gain of the defendant earned through the act of discrimination. Conversion of the liability of proof is introduced based on the argument that placing same level of liability of proof to the victim of discrimination as the offender renders relief impractical.
Legislative dynamics surrounding anti-discrimination act has brought changes such as reservation of its legislation, abolition of Gender Discrimination Prevention Act, establishment of Disability Discrimination Prevention Act and Age Discrimination Prevention Act. Although the failure to legislate discrimination prevention act and abolishment of Gender Discrimination Prevention Act are still the issue, it is important to note that individual anti-discrimination laws have been enacted to specify the definition and standard of disability and age discrimination, thus expanding the means of realizing Equal Rights.
The efforts towards establishment of Gender Discrimination Prevention Act, The National Human Rights Commission Act, Disability Discrimination Prevention Act as reviewed in this article have been a process of expanding Equal Rights. In conclusion, with discourses on various discrimination apart from the gender that have short histories, I have found following issues to be dealt further. First, in terms of the legal system, it is necessary to enact general Anti-Discrimination Act to establish judicial hierarchy of the Constitution and International Norm - General Discrimination Prevention Act - individual discrimination prevention acts. Secondly, from legislative point of view, general Discrimination Prevention Act and individual anti-discrimination acts including Gender Discrimination Prevention Act is necessary. Thirdly, in terms of discrimination relief, it is important to reorganize the functions of discrimination correction mechanisms established by individual acts such as The National Human Rights Commission Act, Disability Discrimination Prevention Act, Age Discrimination Prevention Act, based on the justification and clarity of discrimination standards. Finally, in terms of realization of international standards within Korea, it is found that international norm and legislation of foreign countries have greatly influenced the legislative process in Korea. The issue of realization of international standard lies with constitutional decision to recognize it as legally binding rule within Korean court. In order to introduce rules and system of the U.S. and E.U countries in Korea, accommodative attitude towards conversion of different legal systems is necessary.