July 8- Dear colleagues and fellow Koreans who hold human rights above all other values, I now return to being a common Korean citizen by leaving the position of the 4th Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (“NHRCK”). Two years and eight months ago, on October 30, 2006, I stood in this very place and promised that I would complete my three-year term against all the difficulties this job would present.
Please kindly understand that I had to conclude my term earlier than promised. As I have explained, my decision comes as a result of unfortunate incidents that have taken place since the new administration took office. I truly believe that my early resignation, in conjunction with the appointment of a competent new Chairperson, will pave the way for the Commission to have more opportunities to restore Korea’s status in the international community and to consolidate Korea’s leadership in the field of human rights.
I believe that human rights are a universal value that should be afforded to all people.
Human Rights should neither be considered ideologically left or right nor politically progressive or conservative. I prioritized this simple principle during my term as a chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
My conviction and determination lost their way in the face of the extreme division and conflict happening today. The effort to promote a culture of human rights, where everybody can be respected regardless of their ideological orientations and political positions, has been stalled by a turbid political climate.
We are all proud of Korea’s miraculous economic development and political transition to democracy. For its successes, Korea has received positive recognition from the international community. Yet while Korea has often been admired by other countries, there are growing concerns that Korea is losing its status as a model for democracy and human rights. International Human Rights NGOs now openly criticize Korea for its human rights failures.
The Lee Myong-Bak Administration was chosen by the Korean people. This choice should not, however, be interpreted as a justification for the human rights failures that have occurred on the President’s watch.
The Lee Administration took power and garnered widespread popular support by casting itself as the party best situated to advance society. The Administration is now derided for failing to fulfill its promise a year and a half after it took power. As head of the NHRCK, I encountered an Administration that could greatly improve its human rights agenda if only it had the will to advance human rights. Unfortunately, the Administration has deemphasized the importance of communication with society.
When the Administration announced its plan to transform the legally independent NHRCK into an executive branch agency by placing it under direct control of the president, it received grave warnings from the international community and faced protests from national human rights advocates.
The more the Lee Administration evidences insensitivity to the trends of international human rights, the more it is disrespected in the international society. Last March, President Lee cited “efficiency” concerns and downsized the NHRCK without due process, in clear violation of the principle of independence adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1993 (“Paris Principle”).
I firmly believe that the Korean Constitutional Court, which was extolled for its leading role in the institutionalization of the democratic process over the past 20 years, will soon issue a prudent and considered holding on the Provisional Disposition that the NHRCK requested regarding amendments to the Presidential Decree that reorganized the NHRCK. The NHRCK neither has the mandate nor the responsibility to strike a balance between competing sides in human rights cases. The National Human Rights Institutions were established to warn of state negligence and abuses of power.
I sincerely appeal to the honorable President Lee Myong-Bak. President Lee should listen to concerns voiced by the international society and respect the Paris Principle concerning the establishment and operation of National Human Rights Institutions. I hope that the incoming Chairperson will learn from the NHRCK’s accomplishments and overcome the challenges it has faced over the last eight years.
We are all well aware that the path to human rights has no end. We also know that human rights are eternal while political power is short-lived. I hope that we will all march firmly forward on the lonely but honorable path to human rights and that the fire of our ideals will light the way ahead. Let us remember that the resentment and pain we have experienced are no more than small ordeals that must be surpassed in order to progress toward a brighter future. These trials train us and keep our skills sharp, enabling us to seize moments of opportunity and advance human rights at every possible turn.
I wish you and your families good health and peace.
Thank you,
