The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Chairperson Ahn Kyong-whan of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) on July 6, 2008.
This meeting was arranged to highlight the importance of the global campaign to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). On June 20, 2008 (World Refugee Day) the NHRCK launched its 180-day UDHR Promotion Campaign which will continue until 18 December 2008 (International Migrants Day).
"While serving as a Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I was deeply involved in the establishment of the NHRCK in 2001. In full cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), I made every endeavor to support the establishment of an independent national human rights institution in accordance with the UN standards (such as Paris Principles). To see the NHRCK today playing an active role in the international human rights community and serving as a good model for other countries after 7 years, I feel very proud." Secretary-General Ban said in his opening remark.
Praising the NHRCK's role as Vice Chairs of both the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) and the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC), the Secretary-General stated that the Korean government should implement the recommendations issued during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, the newly launched human rights mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council. He also expressed his hope to see South Korea become a model for other nations in the field of human rights. "The NHRCK should play a greater role in achieving such a vision" he said.
At the meeting, Chairperson Ahn Kyong-whan presented the Secretary-General with a scroll and paperweight, specially designed for the 60th anniversary of the UDHR.
