ㅁThe NHRCK participates in the plenary meeting of the 8th session of the Human Rights Council (Geneva, 2~18 June 2008)
ㅁTo local governments: not to discriminate against students based on academic records when recruiting for publicly-funded boarding academies.
The teachers' labor union in Sunchang, North Jeolla province filed a complaint with the NHRCK citing that "it is discriminatory to recruit prospective students to publicly-funded boarding academies based on their test results in Korean, English and Mathematics in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province" The Commission concluded that public education supported by the State or regional govenment must be provided to all students in accordance with Article 31 (1) of the Constitution. While acknowledging the institution's own discretion, the exercise of the discretion as required by the Education Law applies only to such criteria as students’ personality, enthusiasm and qualities for democratic citizenship.
The Commission (Chairperson Ahn Kyong-Whan) recommended the head of the regional government improve the student recruitment measures, operating system, and management.
ㅁ The Commission has expressed its opinion to the Supreme Court on the rights of undocumented migrant workers to form a Labor Union.
It is recognized that the right of all workers to form trade unions and join the trade union of his or her choice must be ensured without discrimination on grounds such as race or the color of skin, according to Article 6 of Korean Constitutional law, Article 2 (1), Article 23 (4) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Article 2 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 2 and 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights all to which Korea is a signatory. Whereas the provisions do not specify the definition of undocumented migrant workers, "workers" must include the undocumented migrant workers as well.
Thus, it is understood that the rights of undocumented migrant workers to form a labor union must be guaranteed. The NHRCK is also aware that imperative to protect migrant workers' rights in Korea was noted with concern in the Working Group report of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council on May 7, 2008. According to Article 28 (1) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, the Commission hereby submits its opinion to the Supreme Court.
ㅁTo the Seongnam Cultural Foundation: to offer an on-line reservation system for persons with disabilities
