A video of a migrant woman being abused by her Korean husband has recently sparked public outrage in the nation.

The number of domestic abuse among international couples on the island is increasing.

Todd Thacker reports.

Last year "A" separated from her Korean husband after suffering routine domestic abuse.

The 38-year-old Thai mother of one has awful memories of that time.

Recording
Marriage migrant 'A'
He beat and harassed me at home and even when we went out. Once, he bought a beer and poured it on me.
<싱크 : 결혼 이주여성 폭력 피해자 >
"집에서만 아니에요 밖에서도 해요. 술먹을 때 도박했을 때 내가 가요, 편의점에서 맥주 사서 저한테 … 뿌렸어요."

She left her native Thailand to settle on Jeju with her husband eight years ago.

But before long, he began abusing her both verbally and physically.

At the time, there was no way for her to escape the abuse of her alcoholic husband.

Recording
Marriage migrant 'A'
I had no other place to go. There was nobody to help me at the time.
<싱크 : 결혼 이주여성 폭력 피해자>
"갈 데가 없어요. …그 때는 도와주는 사람도 모르겠어요. 어디갔는지 "

She and her child are currently living at a domestic violence care center. But this is only temporary, as she has to leave the facility within a year.

Recording
Marriage migrant 'A'
I have to work, but my baby is sick. I take care of my baby on my own. While I stay at the care center, I have to save as much money as possible.
<싱크: 결혼 이주여성 폭력 피해자 >
" 일도 해야 되고 애기도 아파요. 아기 필요한 것도 제가 다 해줘요. 쉼터에 있을 때는 무조건 돈 아껴야 돼요. "

Another woman and marriage migrant “B” was also harassed by her husband.

Married life was a nightmare.

Recording
Marriage migrant 'B'
He beat and kicked me. He threatened me and threw a knife at me, even in front of our children. I was very frightened.
<싱크 :결혼 이주여성 폭력 피해자 >
" 주먹으로 발로 차고 그럴 때 애들 앞에서 위험한 행동(하고) 칼도 던지고 너무 무서웠어요.”

Her husband has promised to change several times. But he hasn't.

She asked her in-laws for help. But they gave the same unhelpful advice.

Recording
Marriage migrant 'B'
My mother-in-law said that I should endure abuse.
<싱크 : 결혼 이주여성 폭력 피해자>
"시어머니는 한국생활이 다 그렇다. 그렇게 참고 살아야 돼, 참아야 돼요. 참고 참고 살아라…"

When she reported the domestic abuse to police, her husband left home with their children and did not return.



Last year, over 1,600 domestic abuse cases were reported to the Jeju 1366 Women’s Call Center by female marriage migrants living on the island. That number has been on the increase since 2016.

Reports of domestic abuse by female marriage migrants

2016 1,286
2017 1,335
2018 1,651

Source: Jeju 1366 Women’s Call Center



Of those who report their abusive husbands, only a small number of female marriage migrants can take refuge at a domestic violence care center. Others have no choice but to return home.

INTERVIEW
Marriage migrant aid worker
Since the marriage migrant’s visa is linked to the spouse, if she reports her husband she worries about that she cannot stay in Korea any longer. This is clearly a problem that will prevent women from going to the police.
<인터뷰 : 결혼이주여성 관계자 >
"체류 문제가 같이 결부돼 있기 때문에 남편이 내가 피해를 신고했을 때 '너네 나라로 가라' 아니면 체류에서 불이익을 준다던지 이런 걸 걱정하기 때문에…"

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Kim Seung-cheol
[CG] So Gi-hun

With the well being of these vulnerable women and children hanging in the balance, it is clear that urgent measures are needed. These include imposing severe punishments on domestic abusers and to revise the legal system to ensure everyone is afforded equal protection under the law.

Todd Thacker, KCTV