Comprehensive Report on the National Security Law Draws from Broad-ranging Materials Dating Back to 1948
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) announced the results of a broad fact-finding survey on the human rights impacts stemming from application of the National Security Law (hereafter, NSL). The study, commissioned to the Minkahyup Human Rights Group, had been carried out between August 2003 and January 2004.
The time period covered by the study spans from 1948—when the NSL was first enacted—to 2001, toward the end of former Chairperson Kim, Dae Jung’s term, and the study itself is comprehensive, encompassing statistical data and case study overviews.
The 550-page report is divided into five chapters: a chapter tracing the historical application of the NSL by time period, a chapter examining the NSL and human rights situation in Korea in the light of such implementation, a chapter examining and analyzing the state of government organs charged with implementing the NSL, a chapter focusing on the human rights issues arising from NSL implementation procedures, and a chapter outlining the amendments made to the NSL over time.
The NSL has been a critical human rights issue in Korea, reflecting a long history of controversial application and enforcement procedures that leave room for serious human rights abuses. To address the NSL impacts on human rights, the NHRC composed a special「NSL Task Force Team」 in March 2003. The team researched NSL-related issues extensively for 1 year and 2 months before disbanding, and had also sponsored a public hearing held on May 20th.
After comprehensive evaluation of Task Force Team activities and research, issues brought up at the public hearing, and the results of this new study, the NHRC is expected to announce a formal stance on the NSL. –End.
