Gender Discrimination Prevention and Relief Act - Republic of Korea

Gender Discrimination Prevention and Relief Act, 1999

This Act is adopted with the purpose of preventing gender discrimination in employment, education, and the provision and utilization of goods, facilities, and services and in the enforcement of laws and policies and realizing gender equality in all sectors of society, from employment matters to issues of education and social welfare in accordance with the principle of gender equality stated in the Constitution (Article 1). The Act gives the Ministry of Gender Equality the quasi-judicial authority to investigate gender discrimination cases and to prescribe corrective measures accordingly.

Following to the definitions of "gender discrimination", "sexual harassment" and " public institutions" (article 2), the Act prohibits public institutions and employers from practising gender discrimination in the recruitment, promotion, transfer, dismissal, and retirement of employees under Article 3. Besides, Article 9 regulates on jurisdiction of the Presidential Commission on Women's Affairs over redressing gender discrimination in accordance with Article 18, Paragraphs 1 and/or 3 of the Government Structure Law.