LINKRIGHTS

I was discriminated against for being a foreigner

Being treated worse because of nationality, skin colour, language or religion is discrimination. You do not have to accept it, and you can file a complaint.

Source
National Human Rights Commission of Korea See sources
Last reviewed
6 September 2026

Is this your situation?

  • A shop or gym refused me saying "no foreigners".
  • I was told I failed a job interview because of my nationality.
  • A landlord refused me because I am a foreigner.
  • I keep seeing hateful comments about people from my country online.

Rights you should know

  • You have the right not to be discriminated against

    Treating someone worse without reasonable grounds because of nationality, race, skin colour, language or religion may amount to discrimination.

  • Non-citizens can file complaints

    You can file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission regardless of nationality, and it is free.

  • You must not be punished for complaining

    Retaliating against someone for reporting discrimination can itself be a problem.

  • You do not have to decide alone

    You can ask for advice even when you are unsure. Asking is not the same as filing, so there is no pressure.

Try this

  1. 1.

    Write down what happened straight away

    Record the date, place, who was involved and the exact words used. Keep photos, recordings, messages or screenshots.

  2. 2.

    Call the Human Rights Commission on 1331

    Explain the situation and they will tell you whether it can be filed and how to submit it.

  3. 3.

    You can also file online

    See humanrights.go.kr for how to submit a complaint. Ask a support organisation if the form is difficult.

  4. 4.

    Ask for interpretation if language is a barrier

    The Danuri Call Center (1577-1366) offers advice in several languages.

Please note

Whether an act legally counts as discrimination is decided by official bodies such as the National Human Rights Commission.

You might also want to know

  • School & Education

    I faced discrimination or bullying at school

    Being teased or treated worse because of your country, skin colour or accent is discrimination. You do not have to put up with it.

  • Human Rights & Discrimination

    I'm experiencing violence or threats

    No one has the right to hit or threaten you. If you are in danger now, call 112. If it is not urgent, you can first talk to 1388 or 1366.

  • Work & Part-time Jobs

    I worked but was not paid

    You must be paid for the work you did. This is true even if you are young, not a Korean citizen, or never signed a contract.

Where to get help

  • National Human Rights Commission of Korea 1331

    Area: NationwideDiscrimination & rights

    How they can help

    A national body where you can file a complaint about discrimination based on nationality, skin colour or language. Non-citizens can file too.

    Languages
    Korean · English
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    1331 Website

    humanrights.go.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “Can I get advice in English?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Korea Legal Aid Corporation 132

    Area: NationwideLegal

    How they can help

    Free legal advice from a public body, with free litigation support if you meet the criteria.

    Languages
    Korean
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    132 Website

    klac.or.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “My Korean isn't very good. Can I still get advice?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Danuri Call Center 1577-1366

    Emergency line

    Area: NationwideFamilyViolence & safety

    How they can help

    A 24-hour multilingual call center for migrants, covering daily-life questions and violence support.

    Languages
    Korean · English · Chinese · Vietnamese · other languages
    Opening hours
    24 hours
    1577-1366 Website

    liveinkorea.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “Can I get advice in English, Chinese, Vietnamese?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Government Complaints Hotline 110 (e-People)

    Area: Nationwide

    How they can help

    A single government window that tells you which office handles your issue, and lets you file a complaint.

    Languages
    Korean · English
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    110 Website

    epeople.go.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “Can I get advice in English?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Rainbow Youth Center for Migrant Youth

    Area: NationwideEducation & schoolMental health

    How they can help

    A specialist centre supporting migrant-background youth with study, careers, Korean language and counselling.

    Languages
    Korean
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    02-733-7587 Website

    rainbowyouth.or.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “My Korean isn't very good. Can I still get advice?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

Choose your area
What to say once the call connects

If you are not sure how to start the call, use these sentences as a guide. They are only examples and do not replace advice from the organisation.

  1. 1. “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about Human Rights & Discrimination.”
  2. 2. “This is what happened. (Briefly say when, where and what happened.)”
  3. 3. “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

Tips for the call

  • If Korean is hard for you, ask: "Can I get advice in another language?"
  • Keep dates, places and things like text messages or contracts next to you so it is easier to explain.
  • You only need to give your name or contact details if the counsellor asks for them.

Follow the organisation's own guidance on how advice works. If you are in danger now, call 112 (police) or 119 (ambulance) straight away.

Sources for this page

Official sources (organisation websites, open in a new window)

Last reviewed 6 September 2026

Missing something? Request new information

Was this helpful?

We only count the button you pressed, to see which answers help. Your question and the answer are not sent.

Is this information wrong or out of date?

Let us know and we will review and fix it. You don't need to include personal details such as your name or contact in the email.

Suggest a correction

If you are under 14, please send this together with a guardian or a teacher.

Only the LINKRIGHTS team can see what you send. Privacy policy

If you prefer email, write to linkrights2026@gmail.com.

Write about the situation you are in. We can answer in any language.

Tell the AI about my situation