The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'

  • 3

    S. Korea to stage massive military parade as tensions with North remain high

  • 5

    Seoul, Beijing try to mend fences as Russia and N. Korea grow closer

  • 7

    The ethical issues of AI: fighting the right battles

  • 9

    Mirae Asset Global Investments' AUM reaches $219 bil.

  • 11

    Low growth becomes new normal for Korean economy

  • 13

    LG Chem to build LFP cathode plant with Huayou in Morocco

  • 15

    4 in 10 Koreans experience overdue wages: survey

  • 17

    AI reliance could undermine financial market stability: report

  • 19

    FSS warns fisheries cooperatives over sloppy response to failed overseas investment

  • 2

    Samsung, SK relieved by revised chip restrictions on China

  • 4

    China's 'batwoman' scientist warns another coronavirus outbreak is 'highly likely'

  • 6

    Patients, doctors at loggerheads as operating room CCTV footage made mandatory

  • 8

    Korea, Saudi Arabia celebrate 93rd Saudi National Day, vow stronger cooperation

  • 10

    Lee Jae-myung's possible arrest looms over main opposition party

  • 12

    Bears of Joseon part 2: Behind bars

  • 14

    An American high school experience in Seoul

  • 16

    Russian FM to visit Pyongyang next month as follow-up to Kim-Putin summit

  • 18

    TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion

  • 20

    Korea's Choi In-jeong wins gold in women's individual epee fencing

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Tue, September 26, 2023 | 01:43
Amnesty opposes 2nd term for Hyun
Posted : 2012-07-16 20:12
Updated : 2012-07-16 20:12
Kim Rahn
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
The Korean branch of an international human rights watchdog has expressed concern in response to the reappointment of Hyun Byung-chul as Korea’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief, saying it will damage the panel’s independence and credibility.


Hyun Byung-chul, National Human Rights Commission chairman who has been reappointed for a second term, speaks during the National Assembly’s confirmation hearing, Seoul, Monday.
/ Korea Times photo
by Oh Dae-geun
Rights commission chief blamed for giving up independence

By Kim Rahn

The Korean branch of an international human rights watchdog has expressed concern in response to the reappointment of Hyun Byung-chul as Korea’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chief, saying it will damage the panel’s independence and credibility.

Amnesty International Korea issued a statement on Monday to say that Hyun’s second-term bid is against the opinions of civic groups and the public.

The statement came on the day the National Assembly held a confirmation hearing to decide whether to grant him another three-year term at the government-funded commission.

“Hyun said the NHRC belongs to the government, raising doubt over the commission’s independence and fairness,” the watchdog said in the statement.

It said since the 68-year-old chairman was inaugurated, the NHRC has remained silent on major human rights issues such as a violent police crackdown on tenants in a shopping district in Yongsan in 2009 and the investigation into MBC’s program “PD Notebook”featuring mad cow disease.

“We’ve expressed worry over the appointments of commission members that seem to be politically motivated. Without collecting opinion from related civic sectors, those with little experience in human rights issues have been appointed,” it said.

“It is very important that the NHRC should be comprised of members who can make fair decisions based on facts and laws. We urge the Korean government to appoint those with knowledge and experience in that field as commission members.”

On the same day, workers of the commission placed an ad in a newspaper calling on Hyun to give up his bid for a second term.

Under the title, “If Hyun really cares about the NHRC, he should leave voluntarily,” the ad contained remarks the chairman has made during his previous term.

Some of them were: “I know nothing about the NHRC and human rights,” a comment during an interview in July 2009 right after his appointment; “Not knowing at all can be my strong point,” a reaction to the criticism that human rights is outside his field; and “It may be dictatorial but I can’t help doing so,” a comment he made when arbitrarily closing an NHRC meeting in December 2009 as other members were about ato pass a statement that the police crackdown in the Yongsan incident was improper.

The newspaper notice also underscored his racist remarks including one in July 2010: “Korea has become a multicultural society. Niggers are living with us.”

In a survey conducted last month on 159 workers by the commission’s labor union, 89.5 percent said Korea’s human rights have retrograded since Hyun’s inauguration.

A gay rights group also opposed his reappointment.

The group for homosexuals’ political power, “I Vote Pink,” said in a statement that Hyun has neglected to improve the human rights of sexual minorities.

On the website of Yoido Full Gospel Church, some believers opened a homosexual online community but it was forcibly shut down. They filed a petition but the NHRC recently dropped it.

“The NHRC chief, who should make efforts on behalf of gays for their human rights, has conservative Christian sentiments against homosexuality,” the group said.

“During Hyun’s three-year term, almost all petitions about the human rights of sexual minorities were rejected. Hyun made the NHRC, the last resort for minorities and their human rights, powerless,” it said.
Emailrahnita@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
14 in 10 Koreans experience overdue wages: survey 4 in 10 Koreans experience overdue wages: survey
2[PHOTOS] Harvest season arrives PHOTOSHarvest season arrives
3Tanghulu captures hearts of Korean millennials and Gen Z Tanghulu captures hearts of Korean millennials and Gen Z
4SK earthon begins crude oil production in South China Sea SK earthon begins crude oil production in South China Sea
5Homeplus' private brand products hit store shelves in Mongolia Homeplus' private brand products hit store shelves in Mongolia
6[EXCLUSIVE] Lawmakers to submit resolution urging China to free N. Korean escapeesEXCLUSIVELawmakers to submit resolution urging China to free N. Korean escapees
7LG Uplus, Hanwha develop ceiling-mounted EV charging system LG Uplus, Hanwha develop ceiling-mounted EV charging system
8K-pop fans rally in Seoul against luxury brands' failure on climate action K-pop fans rally in Seoul against luxury brands' failure on climate action
9Korean gov't faces international criticism for R&D budget cuts Korean gov't faces international criticism for R&D budget cuts
10Main opposition chief in showdown with prosecutors over arrestMain opposition chief in showdown with prosecutors over arrest
Top 5 Entertainment News
1BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D' BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D'
2K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling QuranK-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
3Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK Cho Seong-jin celebrates 140-year ties between Korea, UK
4[INTERVIEW] Yim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston' INTERVIEWYim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'
5TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion TEMPEST gears up to showcase fiery passion
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group