KB News Desk
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea ruled that a public bathhouse charging only female customers for towels and soap violated equal rights protections, recommending corrective measures to the owner and the local government.
According to the NHRCK on Thursday, a woman visited a public bathhouse in North Gyeongsang Province in September where towels and soap were provided free of charge to male customers, while female customers had to pay 500 won ($0.35) per towel and 700 won for a disposable bar of soap.
The woman filed a complaint with the NHRCK, claiming that the practice was discriminatory based on sex.
In response to the NHRCK investigation, the bathhouse said the “measure was inevitable because towels lent to female customers were often not returned, costing the purchase of replacements.” The owner also reportedly said that there was no legal obligation for bathhouses to provide amenities free of charge, and that similar practices are common at other bathhouses nationwide.
The NHRCK’s Committee on Discrimination Remedy found that 22 of 27 bathhouses in the neighborhood charged female customers an average of 500 won per towel, while male customers were not charged separately.
It concluded that such practice was unfair, noting that even if towels were returned at a relatively lower rate by female customers, that was a problem caused by only some users.
“Charging all female customers for additional fees is based on gender stereotypes or generalizations,” the commission said in its report.
The commission also pointed out that the bathhouse could have considered alternative methods to prevent losses, such as charging deposits or installing wall-mounted soap.
The NHRCK said charging only female customers additional fees violates their right to equality and constitutes an act of discrimination. It recommended that the bathhouse take corrective measures and urged the local government to strengthen administrative guidance to prevent similar cases.
