NHRCK opened ‘on-spot human rights counselling center’ at police stations
o On June 31, National Human Rights Commission of Korea and Korean National Police Agency opened ‘on-spot human rights counseling center’ in Jongro Police Station and Gangnam Police Station in Seoul in order to immediately meet the needs for human rights counselling at the scene.
o Jongro Police Station and Gangnam Police Station receive a high number of counselling requests related to demonstration and investigation. Counselling expert designated by NHRCK will be sent to the center to immediately resolve petitions related to human rights violation that happens at the scene. Operation hour of the center is from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays, and it will specifically deal with human rights infringements by police during investigation or demonstration.
o The Jongro and Gangnam Police Station operate a window for immediate disclosure of information for rapid and accurate counselling, and NHRCK will cooperate with the office of hearing and audit when there is a need to check on truth or a need for mediation.
o NHRCK official stated that until now people had to call counselling hotline of NHRCK or visit NHRCK in person in order to receive counselling service, but now people can visit counselling center in police station and the police will become more responsible.
o Counselling center will be operated for three months, and interim evaluation will be conducted to decide whether to expand operation of the center to other police stations.
