Korea’s Human Rights Score Is 6.4 Marks Out of 10

According to major non-government human rights organizations, Korea’s evaluated current human rights score is 6.4 points out of 10.

This is the result of a survey through telephone and e-mail conducted by Dong A-Ilbo from September 1 to September 12 under the subject of “Korea’s Human Rights” to about 30 representatives of foreign-based human rights NGOs who know much about the Korean human rights situation and who will take part in the Seventh International Conference for National Human Rights Institutions, which will be held in Korea from September 14-17 for the first time.

The human rights score is based on a 10-point index. For example, 10 points is a perfect score and indicates that human rights are completely protected. Hence, 6.4 points can be evaluated as satisfactory.

Consequently, 50.4 percent (12 people) among 23 people out of 30 who graded Korea’s human rights levels gave Korea more than seven points.

These respondents gave a 7.5 score concerning the level of human rights in the United States.

In response to the questionnaire showing the extent of Korea’s human rights expansion, half(15) of the respondents pointed out vivid activities of civic groups, followed by the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (25 percent, 8).

However, the most imperative issues that need improvement are “lack of systems for protecting women and children (39 percent)” and “racial discrimination against foreign labor (20 percent).”

Meanwhile, the opinions of NGOs differed concerning “issue of the liquidation of the past” and “controversy issues on the National Security Law” among questions pending to Korean society.

Only 13 respondents answered concerning the liquidation of the past for politically sensitive issues and they showed different opinions as follows: six of them said that it requires a prudent approach since political intervention can occur (46 percent), and seven people stated that the problems of the past should be quickly resolved (54 percent).

In addition, concerning the issue of the National Security Law, just 11 people responded for the same reasons. 9 out of 11 said that it is better to nullify it for human rights, and two people said that it is better to revise it considering the situation between the North and South.

It is unprecedented for international human rights NGOs, who have a pretty progressive inclination, to avoid answering the two pending questions due to politically sensitive issues, and for some of them to express a cautious approach.

Jae-Young Kim jaykim@donga.com