For the purposes of encouraging business enterprises to incorporate human rights standards and concepts in business management and promoting good business practices for the implementation of human rights, the NHRCK published a report on business and human rights in Feburary 2013.
The rise of Neo-liberalism and heated global competition have seen the increasing reach and impact of transnational corporations, which has given rise to a debate on business and human rights led by the United States, the OECD and other international organizations. The NHRCK decided to join such international move by publishing a report to redefine international standards and norms with regard to business and human rights, prevent business enterprises from violating human rights and provide remedies if necessary.
A working group consisting of experts in the field of business and human rights was launched in May 2011 for the report. The working group drafted a report based on its research and study on international standards and domestic policies regarding business and human rights, interviews and on-site business inspections. The Plenary Committee of the NHRCK made a decision on the publication of the final report on December 26, 2012.
The report includes, among many others, the concept of business and human rights, international and domestic trends, roles of state for the prevention of human rights violations by business enterprise, and proposals for promoting good business practices with regard to human rights.
Some of the proposals included in the report are as follows:
① The government should set an example for businesses by embedding human rights in its management.
② Human rights record of businesses should be taken into consideration in public procurement to encourage business enterprises to be responsible for human rights.
③ State enterprises should write and disclose a report on their practices regarding human rights and their human rights record should be taken into account in evaluation.
④ Human rights practices of businesses should be considered in public pension fund investment.
④ Large corporations should ensure that their contractors do not violate human rights.
The NHRCK plans to distribute “the Business and Human Rights Guidelines and Checklist” to companies operating in Korea and hold meetings to help the culture and ethos of respect for human rights permeate in the business community.
