The attached South China Morning Post article reports that the new Korean Special Law on the Punishment of Domestic Violence "is set to transform the taboo subject of domestic violence from essentially a family matter into a crime attracting severe penalties" (1 July 1998). The law was passed at the end of 1997 and enacted on

1 July 1998 (ibid.).

The attached Chicago Tribune article describes the situation of women in South Korea and reports that a "recent survey found that 42 percent of South Korean women said they had been beaten by their husbands at least once" (20 July 1997).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Chicago Tribune. 20 July 1997. Michael Dorgan. "Equality Now; Economic Motives Propel South Korea's Drive Toward Gender Equity." (NEXIS)

South China Morning Post. 1 July 1998. John Larkin. "Law Targets Taboo Area of Family Strife." (NEXIS)

Human Rights Law Journal [Kehl am Rein].1997-1998.

Human Rights Quarterly [Baltimore].1997-1998.

The Human Rights Watch Global Report on Women's Human Rights. 1995. New York: Human Rights Watch.

International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW). IWRAW to CEDAW Country Reports. 1993, 1994.

IWLD Bulletin [Washington].1997-1998.

WEP International Bulletin [Rotterdam].1997-1998.

WIN News [Lexington, MA]. 1997-1998.

Women's Commission News [New York]. 1997-1998.

Women's Watch [Minneapolis]. 1997-1998.

Electronic Sources: IRB Databases, Global News Bank, Lexis/Nexis, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).