Seven out of 10 mixed marriages have problems of domestic violence and emotional abuse of migrant wives

"Why am I cursed with such a fate" Last month Jasmine, a 26-year-old woman from the Philippines, cried as she reflected upon her current situation.

Foreign brides in Korea face a harsh reality

For the past year and a half Jasmine has been living in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea, married to a Korean construction worker. Her situation is not unique among migrant wives such as Jasmine.

In the past decade, South Korea has seen a surge in international marriages, numbering 5,775 in 1999 and rising to 19,214 in 2003. Analysts estimate that the number has risen by at least 10 percent in the last two years, reported the Seoul Times.

The reason for this spike could be summed up like this: while North Korea is facing a shortage of rice, South Korea has a shortage of Korean brides-to-be.

Since the early 1990's sociologists have warned of the profound implications of South Korea's gender imbalance, which is considered one of the highest in the world. In 1997 there were 100 females to every 113 males; according to recent statistics, the ratio of men to women in Korea is expected to increase at least 3 percent within the next 10 years.

The lack of Korean females has led many Korean male nationals to seek wives from abroad, particularly from Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam, as well as Chinese-born Koreans from rural areas.

These women from abroad, referred to as "imported brides," in many cases face severe racial discrimination, emotional and physical abuse, depression and maltreatment. In addition, there are significant language and cultural barriers that make social integration into society very difficult for migrant wives. Reports also indicate that adapting to the traditional Korean family structure, in which the daughter-in-law is expected to fulfill all housekeeping duties, is something that many of these women cannot understand.

Analisa, a 31-year-old women from the Philippines, recounts how she wanted to attend Korean language classes but was told that "there is no money." She then tried to attend free classes at the local church but was again forbidden, since her husband's family was Buddhist. After four months of living in isolation and loneliness, Analisa managed to return back to her home country.

From the viewpoint of the husband's family, an imported bride cannot be trusted nor depended upon, seeing as she was "paid for with money." Many migrant wives are not allowed to make phone calls to their family or to any relatives and friends in Korea on the suspicion that they may run away.

Stress caused by domestic problems and intercultural differences will often lead the husband to resort to physical violence. Seven out of 10 mixed marriages have problems of domestic violence and emotional abuse of migrant wives.

On the whole these women have little choice or freedom to escape their situations, causing many of them to end up with severe depression and other psychological problems.

Kim Min-Jung of the Women Migrants Human Rights Center stated that "last year I met with three women who had come to Korea as imported brides. Two were lying inert on the floor, as if they fainted; suddenly they stood and then fainted again. The third woman was wandering aimlessly back and forth into and out of the house."

Exploitation of and violence against women has gained international attention mostly due to raised awareness of trafficking in human beings. Although most of the attention is focused upon the trafficking of women and children as prostitutes or cheap labor, the global community has now begun to recognize the importation (or exportation) of foreign brides as part of this international problem.

In Korea as well, international marriages have proven to be a lucrative business. Companies have rapidly sprouted on the internet, profiting from their international matchmaking services. One such website, "One Heart International Marriages," specializes in importing potential brides from the Philippines, complete with a photo gallery of the current month's "recommended" women.

Another Korean internet company, Jupiter, recruits women from Russia, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan.

Famous go-game player Seo Bong-Soo (right) is happy with his 22-year-old Vietnamese bride Ramtihi Mua.

The couple, whose marriage was arranged by a wedding agency in October in Vietnam, is now living in Anyang in Gyeonggi Province. Unlike their case, many international marriages end in difficulty or in tragedy.

In Taiwan, marriage brokering has equally become a huge business, with matchmaking fees of up to US$12,000 dollars. Comparable to Korean migrant wives, these women also face hardships of cultural integration and domestic abuse, and are often treated as sexual or domestic servants.

Currently, the number of international marriage brokers is estimated at nearly 500 worldwide.

So far no legislation or policies have been sufficiently established in Korea to provide protection for these women. An executive at the Ministry of Gender Equality, Women's Rights and Welfare Division, commented that they are overburdened with protecting the rights of Korean female nationals and do not yet have the resources nor power to implement policies for migrant women.

However, migrant wives in Korea do not need to feel that there is no support network available for them or for their children. At present, relief for abused migrant wives can be found at organizations such as the Women Migrants Human Rights Center in Seoul.

Cultural integration and language classes, maternal/medical care, shelter, and counseling are among the services that they provide. In terms of raising public awareness, the Center publishes materials and organizes workshops on finding alternatives to improve the situation for migrant women.

Source: The Korean Times