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A Vietnamese bride at a Korean-style wedding.
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Former justice minister asked to forge cooperative program
The Vietnamese government requested South Korean Ambassador at Large for women's human rights Kang Geum-sil to open a channel through which Hanoi and Seoul could discuss problems related to international marriages between South Korean men and Vietnamese women. Vietnam's Vice Minister of Justice Hoang The Lien made the suggestion to Kang, who was visiting Vietnam to understand the realities of Vietnamese women who have married South Korean men. Such a cooperative channel will ensure a better environment surrounding international marriages between the two nations, added Vice-Minister Hoang. The Vietnamese government plans to request the Korean government to sign an MOU (memorandum of understanding) to resolve differences between Vietnamese and Korean laws related to marriage. In response, Kang, a former Justice Minister, said that she would urge the South Korean Justice Ministry to review the possibility of such measures. In addition, Kang stressed that she would make efforts to establish a cooperative channel between the two nations, saying that to help those in international marriages settle in South Korea, it is necessary to prepare programs to provide them with accurate information on the other nation, to educate them about the related language and culture in advance, and to inform them about international marriage in general. Marriage between South Korean men and Vietnamese women has increased sharply since 2004. Currently in Korea, there are more married immigrants from Vietnam than from China. However, as problems have been raised over illicit marriage brokerage and the occurrence of domestic violence, the necessity of cooperation between the two countries has been recognized.Kang will be visiting Vietnam through January 13 and then travel to the Philippines, in order to discuss in both countries ways to prevent the violation of the human rights of women coming to South Korea for marriage, as well as to support their settlement and social integration. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
