Speak Up in Korean: Exposing Modern Slavery
Hello! Welcome to Maeil Hangul, your go-to blog for leveling up your Korean skills!
Today, we’re tackling a serious but incredibly important topic: how to write a warning statement about modern slavery. This might sound intense, but being able to discuss complex social issues is a key part of mastering a language. Lately in Korea, there’s a growing public conversation around ethical consumption and corporate social responsibility, sparked by news reports on global supply chains. Learning today’s vocabulary will empower you to participate in these meaningful discussions, write formal statements for work or activism, and truly engage with Korean society on a deeper level.
Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your Advocacy Toolkit
Here are some powerful phrases you’ll need to articulate your points clearly and formally.
1. 인권 침해 (ingwon chimhae)
* Pronunciation: [in-gwon chi-mae]
* English Meaning: Human rights violation / infringement
* Detailed Explanation: This is a fundamental, formal term used in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. 인권 (ingwon) means ‘human rights’ and 침해 (chimhae) means ‘violation’ or ‘infringement’. It’s a strong, direct term to describe an injustice.
2. 노동 착취 (nodong chakchwi)
* Pronunciation: [no-dong chak-chwi]
* English Meaning: Labor exploitation
* Detailed Explanation: This term specifically points to the abuse of workers. 노동 (nodong) means ‘labor’ and 착취 (chakchwi) means ‘exploitation’. It’s more specific than just ‘bad working conditions’ and implies a systematic and unfair extraction of value from workers. You’ll see this in news articles or NGO reports.
3. 심각성을 인지하다 (simgakseong-eul injihada)
* Pronunciation: [shim-gak-sseong-eul in-ji-ha-da]
* English Meaning: To recognize/be aware of the seriousness
* Detailed Explanation: This is a formal verb phrase perfect for official statements. 심각성 (simgakseong) means ‘seriousness’ or ‘gravity’, and 인지하다 (injihada) is a formal verb for ‘to recognize’ or ‘to perceive’. It shows you understand the gravity of the situation.
4. 경각심을 높이다 (gyeonggaksim-eul nopida)
* Pronunciation: [gyeong-gak-shim-eul no-pi-da]
* English Meaning: To raise awareness / to increase alertness
* Detailed Explanation: This is a key phrase for any campaign. 경각심 (gyeonggaksim) is a sense of alertness or vigilance against a potential danger or problem. 높이다 (nopida) means ‘to raise’ or ‘to heighten’. You use this phrase when you want to call public attention to an issue.
Example Dialogue: Planning a Campaign
Let’s see how two activists, Min-jun (A) and Sora (B), might use these expressions.
A: 소라 씨, 최근 발표된 이주 어선원들의 노동 착취 실태 보고서 보셨어요? 정말 충격적이에요.
(Sora, have you seen the recent report on the labor exploitation of migrant fishermen? It’s truly shocking.)
B: 네, 봤어요. 이건 명백한 인권 침해예요. 우리는 이 문제의 심각성을 인지하고 대중의 경각심을 높여야 해요.
(Yes, I saw it. This is a clear human rights violation. We must recognize the seriousness of this issue and raise public awareness.)
A: 맞아요. 우리 단체 이름으로 성명서를 발표해서 정부와 관련 기업에 즉각적인 조치를 촉구해야 합니다.
(Exactly. We need to release a statement under our organization’s name to urge the government and related companies to take immediate action.)
B: 좋은 생각이에요. 성명서 초안을 바로 작성해 봅시다.
(That’s a great idea. Let’s draft the statement right away.)
Cultural Tip: The Power of 시민단체 in Korea
Today’s lesson connects deeply with the role of 시민단체 (simin danche) – civic groups or NGOs in South Korea. These organizations are incredibly active and influential. They often lead public discourse on sensitive topics, from environmental issues to human rights.
When these groups issue a 성명서 (seongmyeongseo – official statement), they use precisely the kind of formal, powerful language we learned today (인권 침해, 노동 착취, 촉구하다). They understand that strong, clear language is a tool for social change. By learning these terms, you’re not just learning vocabulary; you’re learning the language of Korean advocacy and social participation. Watching Korean news or following a Korean NGO on social media will show you these phrases in action constantly!
Let’s Practice!
Time to put your knowledge to the test.
- Fill in the blank:
우리는 아동 ( ) 문제에 대한 사회적 ( )을/를 높이기 위해 캠페인을 시작할 것입니다.
(We will start a campaign to raise social awareness about the issue of child labor exploitation.)- Hint: Use two of today’s key expressions.
- Sentence Building:
Imagine you are writing a formal email to a company. Using the phrase 심각성을 인지하다, write one sentence explaining that your organization is aware of the serious labor issues in their supply chain.
You’re now equipped with the vocabulary to engage in important global conversations in Korean. Don’t be afraid to use these powerful words.
Leave a comment below with your answers to the practice questions! Keep up the fantastic work
