o National Human Rights Commission of Korea had special report to the President of the Republic of Korea on December 7. The special report was carried out pursuant to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act following the announcement of the Blue House on May 25 to enhance acceptance rate of NHRCK and to have special report on regular basis. Unlike other report within the administration, special report to the President is carried out upon the request of NHRCK, which deals with human rights situation and measures for improvement.
o The special report was the first meeting after President Moon expressed his will to restore the importance of special report. In addition, it had its significance in that the dialogue and consultation between NHRCK and government for promotion of human rights are restored in five years and nine months since the last special report held on March 6, 2012.
o During the special report, NHRCK emphasized that now is the time to devise a new system to guarantee human rights as the society has dramatically changed for the last 30 years since 1987. The concept of the new system include amendment to the Constitution based on enhancement of basic rights including social rights and decentralization of power, enactment of general human rights acts including the Basic Act on Human Rights, Human Rights Education Support Act, and Anti-discrimination Act, enactment of specific acts to guarantee human rights of the socially marginalized people and regulate discrimination, exclusion and hatred, and systematic guarantee of autonomy and independence of NHRCK.
o President Moon stated that he fully agrees and supports the need for a new system to guarantee human rights, and requested NHRCK to take the lead in devising human rights related acts including the Basic Act on Human Rights and Human Rights Education Support Act.
o He also mentioned that he hopes NHRCK to make more recommendations that reflects international standards as NHRCK is the institution in charge of domestic implementation of international human rights instruments. President Moon also suggested that it will be helpful to present detailed alternative measures along with international human rights principles, when dealing with the issues of abolition of death penalty or acknowledgement of conscientious objection.
o Lastly, he expressed great interest on protection of human rights of soldiers and said that it is unfortunate that NHRCK has no exclusive team to deal with human rights in military and there is a need to expand the organization and manpower of NHRCK in order to fully exercise its power even before establishment of the Military Ombudsman.
o NHRCK will take this opportunity to humbly reflect on the criticism received so far and committee its oneself once again for promotion and protection of human rights.
o During the special report, Chairperson Lee Sung-ho, and Standing Commissioner Lee Kyungsook and Choi Hyeri attended, as well as Senior Civil Affairs Secretary Cho Kuk.
