Dealing with racism in hagwon

Because cram schools operate under their own particularities, racial discrimination is quite common and blatant among them. In many cases, the discrimination involves race, gender, age and sexual orientation. Hagwon hire fewer black people, and recruiting agencies are not active in matching such people with jobs.

The Korea Herald has reported on cases of blatant racism in the hagwon industry. One such case involved several schools and recruiters placing job ads for "white teachers only." I also heard a story of a telephone interview in which a hagwon owner, during his talk with a potential English teacher, hung up immediately upon learning that the applicant was black.

When you take into account the character of cram schools and recruiting agencies as profit-seeking enterprises, you might sense that the genuine cause of the racial discrimination lies within the service users, rather than the providers. The preference of the general public for white teachers is well-known. Because hagwon are extraordinarily sensitive to the reactions of clients, especially parents, in the case of younger students, the favoring of Caucasian teachers becomes more discernible.

In facing such a problem, we must find ways to transcend the bias and to resolve the issue. Here, I would like to offer a few suggestions for how to redress racial discrimination, not only at such schools, but in every business sector. The National Human Rights Commission Act has defined racial discrimination, and the commission is mandated to perform its duty to both deter and prevent such discrimination. However, this does not imply that racial discrimination is prohibited by Korean law. As the commission has recommended continuously to the National Assembly - even with its own drafted legal proposals - it is time to formulate an antidiscrimination act according to which racial discrimination is clearly prohibited.

The Commission has power to recommend resolutions only, which is not binding, according the National Human Rights Commission Act.

It should be noted that the National Human Rights Commission Act defines discrimination as including "any act of favorably treating, excluding, differentiating, or unfavorably treating a particular person in employment, in the supply or use of goods, services, and in the provision of education on the grounds of national origin, ethnic origin, race, and skin color."

Along with this institutional approach, the general public has to be educated regarding racial issues. The commission is continuing to promote awareness-raising activities with television advertisements and an annual memorial ceremony on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which took place on March 21.

But there is still a lack of public focus on this matter. People need to pay more attention to issues of race and discrimination by first admitting that discrimination exists. This fact must be dealt with in ways which develop people`s sensitivity to race and multiculturalism. There is still a long way to go before all people in our society are given the respect they deserve. A common understanding that every individual is different and that no one should be discriminated against is essential.

Lastly, if you or someone you know has been the victim of racial discrimination, it will be a significant step in the right direction if you report this to the commission. Since the commission`s creation in 2001, only ten English teachers have filed complaints alleging discrimination, while the personal anecdotes of such instances are clearly much more numerous.

Two teachers claimed that they were discharged on the grounds of race, but, in both cases, the commission was unable to find evidence of that. It is not easy to prove discrimination, especially in employment. But one memorable case that can provide solid evidence may be enough to lay bare the reality of racial discrimination against English teachers in Korea.



By Susan Kim



Susan Kim is an investigator with the Migration & Human Rights Team at the National Human Rights Commission. Before working as an investigator from 2002-2005, she worked for the International Affairs Division at the commission. Susan has a master`s in Area Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University and a BA in French from Paichai University. - Ed.