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Language as More Than Communication: Reflecting Social Structures and Power Dynamics

Because of my school assignment, I'm sorry I had to post it on the internet site :)

Language is not merely a tool for communication but reflects the structures and power relations within society. When dominant groups impose their language and values on minority groups, it often results in the marginalization or even the disappearance of minority languages and identities. However, such linguistic inequality is only part of a broader social issue. Many minority communities in South Korea—such as ethnic minorities, migrant workers, and LGBTQ+ youth—are continuously facing discrimination and are insufficiently protected by law.

According to a report by Kim Hyosil from The Hankyoreh, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has expressed concern over the rising online and offline hate speech targeting migrants, asylum seekers, and people of Chinese descent in South Korea, urging the government to take immediate action. Despite the seriousness of the situation, effective legal measures to regulate hate speech or punish racial discrimination have yet to be implemented. Since 2007, the UN has repeatedly recommended that South Korea enact comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation, with the most recent recommendation being the 14th such call. This highlights South Korea's shortcomings in protecting vulnerable minorities, including migrants, refugees, and sexual minorities, according to international human rights standards. The following cases illustrate this problem.

Case 1: Migrant Worker ‘Mureung’ (Pseudonym) and Institutional Barriers As reported by The Dong-A Ilbo, in January 2021, a boiler exploded at a leather factory in Gyeonggi Province, resulting in two deaths and ten injuries. Mureung, a Nepalese migrant worker (pseudonym), witnessed the accident firsthand. Traumatized by the event, he attempted to change workplaces but was unable to do so because, as a participant in the Employment Permit System, he needed his employer’s consent. Instead, he was told, "Do you want to go back to your country?" Eventually, he received psychiatric treatment and, with the help of migrant worker organizations, was able to transfer workplaces after six months.

Case 2: Accessibility Issues Faced by Visually Impaired Woman Gwak Nan-hee According to The Dong-A Ilbo, Gwak Nan-hee, a visually impaired woman, experiences daily difficulties during her commute. She often has to ask bus drivers for bus numbers when buses stop, and even when boarding the correct bus, the inconsistent location of card readers causes delays. When pressing the stop button, she sometimes accidentally touches other passengers’ faces, causing discomfort. In 2011, the National Human Rights Commission recommended that Seoul City provide facilities allowing persons with disabilities to access bus operation information equally with non-disabled individuals. However, because this recommendation lacked enforcement power, many buses remain without audio guidance devices, and new buses have card readers installed in varying locations, perpetuating Gwak’s inconvenience. She stated, "A world where I can ride the bus comfortably has yet to come."

Case 3: Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Students in South Korean Schools Yonhap News reported that, in 2024, the youth human rights group Asunaro’s Busan branch conducted a survey of 208 LGBTQ+ students attending elementary, middle, and high schools in the Busan area. Seventy-six percent said they do not openly disclose their sexual identity. Thirty-three percent reported hearing hateful remarks from teachers, such as, "Are there kids like that among you? It’s okay but don’t show it," "Honestly, it’s a bit disgusting," and "Same-sex relationships go against the natural order." Additionally, 71% experienced hate speech from peers, including comments like "You’re a pervert," and "They should be killed." Asunaro criticized the severe discrimination and hate within schools and called on the Busan Education Office to take responsible measures, noting that no investigation into LGBTQ+ student rights has been conducted since 2014. These cases reveal structural problems within South Korean laws and social systems. Existing legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act and the Equal Employment Act is fragmented and lacks effective enforcement. Professor Han Sang-hee of Konkuk University Law School stresses that a comprehensive anti-discrimination law must be enacted to fill these legal gaps. Although multiple bills have been submitted to the National Assembly since 2007, none have been passed. On the other hand, public support for such legislation appears strong; a 2023 survey commissioned by the National Human Rights Commission showed that 88.5% of 1,000 adults polled supported the enactment of anti-discrimination laws. South Korea must urgently take concrete measures aligned with international human rights standards. This includes enacting a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, strengthening public education on minority rights, and, critically, ensuring that schools provide a safe environment where every individual can express their identity without fear. If stronger policies are implemented and existing laws enforced effectively, the situation of minorities will improve significantly. Discrimination against linguistic and social minorities is not merely a cultural issue but a fundamental human rights concern.

Sources Hankyoreh U.N. "South Korea is deepening discrimination and hatred against minorities, but the government's response is insufficient." https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/1197212.html Yonhap News Agency "School is an unsafe place for LGBTQ students." https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20240109136400051 The Dong-A Ilbo "Go to your country" trauma-stricken migrant worker...lingering minority discrimination https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20211125/110449198/1 Kyunghyang Shinmun Kwon Young-guk said, "The 14th recommendation, ··not to postpone the enactment of the UN Anti-Discrimination Act." https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202505161309001