The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has begun a visit and inspection tour of the human rights conditions at six detention facilities. The first inspection was from August 28 – 30, 2007, of the Yeongdeungpo Detention Facility, and will continue throughout the country over the next year.
This visit and inspection is justified by Article 24(1) of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act, which states, “The Commission…may, if deemed necessary, visit detention or protective facilities to conduct an investigation by its resolution.” As part of consistent inspections of detention and protection facilities, the visits and inspections this year will target two facilities in each of the three regional offices: Yeongdeungpo Correctional Institute and Euijeongbu Correctional Institute in Seoul; Daejeon Correctional Institute and Gongju Correctional Institute in Daejeon; and Jeonju Correctional Institute and Mokpo Correctional Institute in Gwangju.
Out of all complaints filed with the Commission (26,029 complaints as of the end of July 2007), about 33.6% (8,739 complaints) were concerned with detention and protection facilities. The Commission will visit these facilities to evaluate the overall operational status, confirm implementation of previous recommendations, and to investigate and resolve causes of complaints previously submitted. The Commission’s inspection team includes Commissioner In-Seop Chung, inspectors from the NHRCK and various experts, including professors, doctors, lawyers, and NGO activists.
The regular on-site visits and inspections of detention and protection facilities provide the Commission with insight to the situation of human rights and allow the Commission to assess effectiveness of recommendations. Following each investigation, the Commission is able to consult with facility authorities and issue any necessary policy recommendations, in hopes to improve the protection and promotion of human rights.
From 2005 to 2006, the Commission inspected the Daegu Detention Center, the Jinju Detention Center, and the Cheongsong Detention Center, which are all housed under the Daegu Regional Detention Headquarters. The Commission will then notify each facility of findings and clarify positions with each of the facilities throughout the rest of the year.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001 to promote human rights education and defend those who have experienced discrimination, or have had a right violated, in Korea. The Commission offers counseling, full investigation and protection for residents, along with educational initiatives for organizations.
