New Report Highlights How Women’s Rights Have Suffered Under Korea’s Division System
March 3, 2025
Posted in: In the News • Press Releases
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서
[보도자료]
발신: Echo (echo@womencrossdmz.org)
제목: [보도자료] 분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 발간
날짜: 2025년 3월 3일
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서
국제 여성의 날, 유엔 여성지위위원회 제68차 회의에 맞춰 한반도 여성 조명
한반도 평화를 위한 세계적 운동의 선도적 조직인 Women Cross DMZ는 새로운 보고서인 ‘분단체재 하의 여성의 권리 보고서’를 발간하여 한반도의 분단이 여성들에게 미치는 시급하고 종종 간과되는 결과에 대해 조명하였다.
이 보고서는 국제 여성의 날과 여성지위위원회 제68차 회의 및 한반도 분단 80주년에 맞춰 발표되었으며, 한반도의 지속적인 군사화에서 남북 여성이 겪는 인권 침해에 이르기까지 분단 체제의 깊고 지속적인 영향을 폭로한다. 이 보고서는 역사적 및 현대적 분석을 바탕으로 미군 기지의 존재, 지뢰와 불발탄의 부족한 성인지적 접근, 이산가족의 지속적인 트라우마와 같은 주요 문제를 강조하였다.
주요 결과:
80년 분단으로 인해 악화된 인권 문제: 비무장 지대(DMZ)의 지뢰와 불발탄(UXO) 잔해는 민간인, 특히 여성에게 여전히 심각한 피해를 입히고 있다. 지뢰 피해 여성들은 여전히 소외되어 있으며, 지뢰 제거 작업에 있어서도 성인지적 접근이 부족하다.
군사화의 성별적 영향: 한국에서 계속되는 미군의 존재와 군사 기지의 확장은 특히 체계적인 성폭력과 착취를 경험하는 기지촌에 사는 여성에게 중대한 인권적 영향을 미치고 있다. 더욱이 미군 기지의 확장으로 지역 농업 공동체가 이주하였고, 여성 농민들의 고통은 더욱 가중되고 있다.
이산가족의 지속적인 트라우마: 수백만의 가족들은 전쟁으로 인해 여전히 갈라져 있으며, 이산가족들의 고령화로 인해 재결합의 기회가 줄어들고 있다. 2000년대 초반 진행 되었던 국가 주도의 이산가족 상봉 프로그램은 중단되어 가족들은 사랑하는 사람들을 찾기 위해 민간 중개인이나 제한된 정부의 프로그램에 의존할 수 밖에 없다. 북한에 대한 미국인의 여행 금지 조치로 인해 한국계 미국인은 사랑하는 사람과 재결합할 수 없다.
위민크로스디엠지Women Cross DMZ의 캐시 최(Cathi Choi) 사무총장은
“이 보고서는 분단 체제가 단순히 지정학적 문제가 아니라 여성의 삶에 실질적이고 파괴적인 영향을 미치는 인권 위기라는 점을 분명히 한다, 한반도 평화를 위한 모든 노력은 여성의 목소리와 경험을 중심으로 해야 한다" 라고 밝혔다.
Women Cross DMZ는 두 한국 정부와 국제 사회가 한국의 지속적인 분단의 성별적 영향을 해결하고 한반도에서 지속 가능한 평화를 향해 노력하기 위한 즉각적인 조치를 취할 것을 촉구하였다.
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 전체는 아래 링크에서 다운로드할 수 있습니다.
https://www.womencrossdmz.org/report-womens-rights-under-the-division-system-in-korea
한글 요약은 아래 링크에서 다운로드 할 수 있습니다.
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 요약
위민크로스디엠지 소개 (Women Cross DMZ)
위민크로스디엠지는 한반도 전쟁 종식과 정책 참여를 위해 활동하는 여성들의 글로벌 운동입니다. 이 단체는 풀뿌리 옹호, 국제 연대, 정책 참여를 통해 한반도의 평화, 여성 인권, 한반도의 비무장화를 진전시키기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2025
Contact:
Solby Lim, Communications Associate
solby@womencrossdmz.org
Women Cross DMZ, a leading organization in the global movement for peace on the Korean Peninsula, has released a new report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea, shedding light on the urgent and often overlooked consequences of Korea’s division on women’s lives.
The report — which is being released to coincide with International Women’s Day, the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and the 80th year of Korea’s division — exposes the profound and persistent impact of the division system, from the ongoing militarization of the peninsula to human rights violations suffered by women in both Koreas. Drawing from historical and contemporary analysis, the report highlights key issues such as the presence of U.S. military bases, the gendered consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the enduring trauma of family separation.
Among the key findings:
- Human rights issues exacerbated by the 80-year division: Landmines and unexploded ordnance remnants in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) continue to cause significant harm to civilians, particularly women. Women victims of landmines remain underserved, and gender-responsive measures are lacking in demining operations.
- Militarization’s gendered impact: The ongoing U.S. military presence in South Korea and the expansion of military bases have significant human rights implications, particularly for women living in military camptowns, where they experience systemic sexual violence and exploitation. Furthermore, the expansion of U.S. military bases has displaced local farming communities, further exacerbating the plight of women farmers.
- The ongoing trauma of family separation: Millions of Korean families remain divided by the Korean War, with opportunities for reunification dwindling as separated family members age. Reunions have stalled since the early 2000s, leaving families to rely on private brokers or limited government programs to locate loved ones. The U.S. travel ban on North Korea has also prevented Korean Americans from reuniting with their loved ones.
“This report makes clear that the division system is not just a geopolitical issue; it’s a human rights crisis with real and devastating impacts on women’s lives,” said Cathi Choi, Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ. “Any effort toward peace on the Korean Peninsula must center women’s voices and experiences.”
“South Korea’s women’s rights groups have long highlighted how Korea’s division system harms women’s rights and gender equality,” said Youngmi Cho, former Executive Director of the Korean Women’s Movement for Peace, Executive Committee Member of the Christian Conference of Asia, and contributor to the report. “Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea reinforces why women’s leadership is crucial to ending the Korean War.”
“Women have been at the forefront of protesting U.S. military base expansion in South Korea, showing how militarism has particular impacts on women’s human rights,” said YouKyoung Ko, Policy Director of Pyeongtaek Peace Center and a contributor to the report. “It’s time we took a more holistic view of human rights, and what is being sacrificed in the name of ‘national security.’”
“Human rights have been weaponized ever since the Cold War. Addressing the gendered impacts of Korea’s division system requires a holistic approach that centers the people, building transnational partnerships to amplify women’s demands for peace,” said Suzy Kim, a professor of Korean history at Rutgers University and contributor to the report. “Only through solidarity across borders can we end war and militarism on the Korean Peninsula.”
“Women in Korea have been living in the shadow of unresolved war for more than 70 years, bearing the burdens of militarization, division, and separation,” said Jung-ah Lee, Standing Representative of Gyeonggi Women’s Association United and a contributor to the report. “Their voices must be heard if we are to create a sustainable and lasting peace.”
The report provides a set of recommendations for governments and intergovernmental bodies to address these human rights concerns. It calls for a more comprehensive approach to human rights that prioritizes the needs and agency of the Korean people, and women in particular, including accountability for militarized sexual violence, legislation that addresses the gendered impact of landmines, the inclusion of women in peace and security initiatives, and renewed diplomatic efforts to reunite separated families.
Women Cross DMZ is urging the two Korean governments and the international community to take immediate action to address the gendered impacts of Korea’s ongoing division and to work toward sustainable peace on the peninsula.
The full report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea, is available for download here.
REPORT LAUNCH EVENTS:
Webinar
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 5 pm PST / 8 pm EST / 10 am Korea (Thursday, March 6)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Registration: bit.ly/dskreport
Join Women Cross DMZ for a webinar discussing the key findings of the newly released report, “Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea.” The report sheds light on the often overlooked consequences of Korea’s division, exposing the militarization, human rights violations, and family separations that continue to impact women’s lives today. This webinar is a must-attend for policymakers, activists, scholars, journalists, and anyone passionate about human rights, peace, and gender justice.
Speakers:
- Cathi Choi, Executive Director, Women Cross DMZ
- Youngmi Cho, Executive Committee Member, Christian Conference of Asia, Former Executive Director, Korean Women’s Movement for Peace
- Lee Jung Ah, Standing Representative, Gyeonggi Women’s Association United
- Lee Jae Jung, National Assembly member, ROK
CSW Panel [Open to the public]
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Time: 8:30-10:00am EST
Location: New York City, UN Church Center, 10th Floor (777 UN Plaza, New York NY 10017)
Registration: https://ngocsw69forum.events.whova.com/registration/
Description
This ESJF and WCDMZ session highlights the urgent need for accountability and global adoption of key Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) mechanisms, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. WPS Act. Drawing on cases like “comfort women” in Asia, Sepur Zarco, and South Korean landmine survivors, panelists will discuss the role of WPS mechanisms in addressing the devastating impact of war, militarism, and post-conflict realities on women and families. WCDMZ will also share the report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System, with groundbreaking analysis and research from Korean women.
Speakers:
- Cathi Choi, Women Cross DMZ
- Sung Sohn, Education for Social Justice Foundation
- Mimi Han, World YWCA
- Renee Copock, Crowley Fleck PLLP
- Marie Berry, Director of the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy (moderator)
About Women Cross DMZ
Women Cross DMZ is a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War and. Through grassroots advocacy, international solidarity, and policy engagement, the organization works to advance peace, women’s rights, and demilitarization on the Korean Peninsula.