Jindo-gun Mayor Kim Hui-su [Jindo-gun/Yonhap]
Jindo-gun Mayor Kim Hui-su [Jindo-gun/Yonhap]

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has recommended that Jindo-gun Mayor Kim Hui-su complete human rights education after he made remarks suggesting that "young Vietnamese women should be imported" to address rural population decline.

The commission said Thursday it had issued an opinion recommending that Kim complete human rights training — including courses on gender sensitivity and multicultural awareness — and review support policies for immigrant women and multicultural families in his jurisdiction from a gender-equality perspective.

Kim made the remarks in February at a town hall meeting held as part of outreach efforts for the proposed administrative merger of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. Citing the threat of population collapse, he said authorities should "import young women from Sri Lanka or Vietnam to help rural bachelors get married and roll out special measures." He added, "What good is reviving industry if there are no people?"

The commission said the remarks — which described the marriage migration of foreign women using the word "import" — framed people as exchangeable or procurable objects, like goods or labor. It ruled the comments failed to give adequate consideration to women's right to self-determination and personal dignity.

The commission also issued an opinion to the head of the Korea Mayors and County Governors Association, saying the organization should provide its members with training on gender sensitivity and multicultural awareness.

Kim was expelled from the Democratic Party of Korea over the remarks and ran as an independent in the June 3 local elections, but lost. His term runs through June 30.


bbo@heraldcorp.com