EU, UN mark Human Rights Day in Seoul

International Human Rights Day poster / Courtesy of EU Delegation Office in Seoul

The European Union Delegation in Seoul hosted an event to mark International Human Rights Day in Seoul, in partnership with the U.N. human rights office in Seoul, highlighting the 2025 campaign theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials.”

The event, held Dec. 15 and supported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul, drew about 150 participants, including civil society representatives, youth activists, academics, policymakers, EU member state diplomats, journalists and human rights defenders.

Organizers said the gathering aimed to deepen dialogue on equality, inclusion and democratic participation, while encouraging broader public engagement on human rights challenges in Korea and beyond.

The program opened with remarks from representatives of the European Union, the U.N. Human Rights Office and the Korean government, followed by a panel discussion on equality and inclusion in Korea.

A youth-focused session featured selected submissions from a joint EU-Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights social media campaign under the theme “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” showcasing how young people viewed human rights and their relevance in daily life.

A second panel focused on the human rights situation in North Korea. Civil society representatives and former North Korean citizens discussed access to food, freedom of expression and freedom of movement, which organizers said were essential to realizing the rights of people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official name of North Korea.

“Human rights are not abstract ideals — they are the foundations of peaceful and resilient societies, which must be protected and nurtured every day,” said Ugo Astuto, ambassador of the European Union to South Korea. “As we mark International Human Rights Day, the European Union stands with its Korean partners in reaffirming our shared commitment to equality, dignity and freedom for all.”

James Heenan, representative of the U.N. Human Rights Office in Seoul, said many of the rights people take for granted were not universally enjoyed.

“Reading the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it becomes clear that the everyday essentials of our lives all depend on the fulfillment of our fundamental rights,” Heenan said. “On International Human Rights Day and every day, let’s stand up for our rights as well as the rights of others — including people we may never meet, such as those in the DPRK.”

The event was held under the EU Public and Cultural Diplomacy project in South Korea, which seeks to promote understanding of EU values and strengthen cooperation with Korean partners.