Statement by the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea
On the Occasion of World Refugee Day
— Toward a Society that Upholds the Dignity of Refugees as Neighbors Living Among Us —
On the occasion of World Refugee Day on June 20, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Ahn Chang-ho) extends his deepest solidarity and support to refugees around the world who have lost their homes due to persecution and other serious threats, and who are striving to rebuild their lives in unfamiliar lands.
World Refugee Day was designated by the United Nations to mark the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. It is a day to honor the courage and resilience of refugees who have experienced forced displacement, and to reaffirm the international community’s shared responsibility to protect their rights and dignity.
Refugees are not strangers, but dignified neighbors who, despite uncertain futures, hold onto hope and seek to build new lives. We must see them not as people at the margins of society, but as members of our shared community.
The reality, however, remains harsh. As of 2024, the refugee protection rate in the Republic of Korea—including those granted refugee status and humanitarian stay—stands at approximately 7.4%, which is markedly lower than the global average of around 59%, as reported in UNHCR’s Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2023.
While the reasons for this gap may be varied, concerns raised by international human rights bodies, including the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, suggest that excessively stringent standards in refugee status determination may be contributing to this disparity.
In addition, prolonged processing times, detention of asylum seekers, and systemic limitations in access to livelihood and healthcare support prevent many refugees from meeting even their most basic needs. Moreover, perceptions that refugee applications are merely a means of remaining in the country, or that refugees are a social burden, further hinder their ability to integrate and settle.
The Republic of Korea has grown on the foundation of human rights and democratic values. It is time to extend those values beyond our borders and build a society that guarantees dignity for all.
May our society grow in inclusiveness and solidarity, so that refugees seeking new hope in a foreign land can live with safety, equality, and dignity—together with us.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea remains committed to strengthening institutional protections for the human rights of refugees, and to walking alongside all people in pursuit of a society where everyone can live in dignity.
June 20, 2025
Ahn Chang-ho
Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
