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Discrimination in Providing Goods based on Social Status (nonstudent youth) [2003] KRNHRC 4 (1 January 2003)

The complainant filed a complaint arguing that since it is possible for non
students youths to obtain student discounts for use of public facilities and
transportation by showing only student IDs, additional measures should be
taken, such as issuance of a `Youth ID.'
After investigation, the Commission found that, given the provisions of
Article 11 regarding the guarantee of rights to equality and provisions relating
to rights of youths of the Charter of Youth, which states that youths shall not
face discrimination on the grounds of family socio economic status, gender,
religion, educational background, or age, that not giving non student youths the
same discounts for use of public facilities that student youths receive constitutes
discrimination without reasonable grounds. Furthermore, given the fact that the
number of economically and socially disadvantaged non student youths is
increasing, the government and society should render this age group special
assistance. The Commission decided that it is necessary to facilitate revision of
laws, institutional practices, and policies that are discriminatory against non
student youths.
The Commission recommended that the respondent, the Ministry of Culture
and Tourism, revise or improve applicable laws, institutional practices, and
policies that discriminate between student youths and non student youths in the
offering of discounts for use of public facilities or transportation. The
respondent organs accepted the recommendation, revised the applicable laws,
and are taking necessary actions, including issuance of a `Youth ID' to non
student youths.