The United Nations designated June 20th as World Refugee Day in order to draw attention to the millions of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict and persecutions on political, racial or religious grounds.
South Korea, a signatory to the 1951 Conventions relating to the Status of Refugees and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, introduced the refugee recognition procedure by creating a new clause governing refugee recognition in the Immigration Control Act and its Enforcement Decree.
Since its inception in 2001, the NHRCK has kept up keen interest in refugee rights and implemented a variety of projects aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of refugees. In close cooperation with relevant organizations, notably the Seoul office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the commission conducted research into the human rights situation of refugees in South Korea, hosted seminars for social inclusion of refugees, and provided counseling services for refugees.
In 2006, the NHRCK made recommendations to the government that it bring the domestic procedures for refugee recognition into the conformity with international standards, improve the general treatment toward refugees and it legislate a refugee rights law.
Also, the commission presented an opinion on the Proposed Enforcement Decree of the Refugee Act legislated following the passage of the Refugee Act at the National Assembly in 2012 that refugee applicants should be allowed to receive external assistance such as from lawyers or the UNHCR, and the inspectors of refugee status should be equipped with high level of expertise.
Still, refugee status applicants in South Korea hardly make ends meet and even those who are recognized as refugees receive treatment that is well below international standards. Only about 6 percent (320 persons) of refugee status applicants (50 million persons) are recognized as refugees in South Korea, well below the world average of 38 percent. In this respect, relevant domestic laws and institutions must be improved to better conform to international standards.
Marking the World Refugee Day, we sincerely hope that people who seek shelter in South Korea do not lose hope and will live in harmony with everyone in the society. Our Commission will spare no efforts to ensure the protection and promotion of the human rights of refugees.
June 20 2013
Hyun Byung-chul
Chairperson
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea
