UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report:
Para 50) The universal birth registration requires mandatory birth reporting upon the birth of a child. The birth of a child of foreign nationals born in the Republic of Korea shall be registered in accordance with the laws of their countries even in cases where the parents are undocumented migrants. Children born to refugees can be registered as foreigners if they submit birth certificate issued by a hospital. The Act on the Registration, etc. of Family Relation was amended in May 2016 to allow a prosecutor or the head of a local government to report a child’s birth if the persons who are obligated to report fails to do and jeopardizes the child’s welfare.

UN Compilation:
Para 15) Noting the universal periodic review recommendation on a birth registration system, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the birth registration system failed to ensure universal and compulsory birth registration and that foreigners whose children had been born in the country were not able to register their children through the family register, although their children might receive a birth notification document from the hospital.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 23) JS2 stated that the Government has refused to register births of children of foreign nationals. The parents might register the birth of their child through the embassies of their countries. However, refugees were often reluctant to approach the embassies to register the birth of their child.

National Report:
Para 47) The Gender Impact Assessment and Analysis Act was enacted in 2011 to ensure effective gender equality in government policies. In addition to gender-sensitive budgeting, the Act enables the Government to incorporate gender perspectives across overall policies. In 2010, the National Gender Equality Index/Indicator was introduced to identify the latest state of gender equality in the country and to present targets to promote gender equality. The result was published in the 2010 National Gender Equality Report. These initiatives laid the groundwork for the integration of gender-sensitive perspectives into government policy execution. Meanwhile, the Women's Policy Review Committee, organized by the Ministry of Justice with the participation of experts from public and private sectors, has discussed ways to protect rights of women marriage migrants, female inmates, and women crimes victims. Countermeasures against gender-related crimes, such as sexual and domestic violence and sex trade, are also on the agenda. The results of discussions have been reflected in the relevant policies.