I am Kyong-Whan Ahn, chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). I would first like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the Korean nationals and foreign visitors who have taken a huge interest in activities by the Commission.
As you well know, the establishment of the Commission itself epitomized the democratization of the Korean society and posed a new challenge for it. It was the culmination of enormous sacrifices and efforts by numerous people. I would like to take this occasion to honor these human rights pioneers who endeavored to create an independent human rights institution under such unfavorable circumstances as well as the domestic and overseas human rights organizations that supported the passage of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act.
For the past five years, the Commission exerted every effort to satisfy the public" s expectations and aspirations. It strove to resolve countless human rights issues that persisted from the authoritarian era and took interest in all the newly emerging human rights issues.
Such effort resulted in a growing emphasis on the importance of human rights in terms of formulation of policies or enactment of laws by government agencies. Daily issues that would have gone completely unnoticed in the past are now drawing attention in the name of human rights.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my respects to my three predecessors, Chang-Guk Kim, Young-Do Choi, and Young-Hoang Cho, for their taking up the difficult task of leading the Commission.
Now that the Commission has marked its fifth year, it must become a mature organization. There is no leeway for a national institution serving the public to function like a baby. Five years is a long time. Lack of experience is no longer an excuse for lack of performance. In this sense, the fifth anniversary of the Commission provides an opportunity to cement our determination to raise our performance to the next level.
We must recover our original resoluteness that we had when we established the national human rights institution in the Republic of Korea five years ago. On one hand, we must constantly improve our human rights sensitivity by which we extend a helping hand to vulnerable social groups and minority groups who are suffering in the dead zone of human rights in our society and steadfastly stand by the powerless and helpless. On the other hand, we need to enthusiastically summon the wisdom to substantively assure people of their human rights. I am confident that the entire staffs of the Commission, who have toiled strenuously for the last five years, will faithfully perform their immensely important duties.
Another important task for the Commission is to look ahead into the future and turn its eyes to the outside world. In the international community, it must direct attention to achievements of Korean society in the promotion of human rights. It must also be the human rights leader in the community by sharing the burden regarding late-comers to the human rights scene. I ask for your warm support and generosity to help the Commission direct the development of Korean society toward greater human rights awareness.
On October 30, I was inaugurated as the fourth chairperson of the Commission. I may have many faults and shortcomings, but I assure you that I will, with your affection and support, make the Commission an institution that thrives on the love and pride of the people.
In order to remind all members of the Commission of their sacred mission, I would like to wrap up my speech with a phrase often memorized by our ancestors.
" Heaven does not create a man without dreams, and the land does not raise grass without names."
Certainly, the idea of a single person can hardly change the world. However, a dream held deeply by many people can move mountains. The Commission, along with the people here, will endeavor to create a world where human beings can live in happiness and dignity. Thank you.
Kyong-Whan Ahn
Chairperson of the NHRCK
