By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The National Human Rights Commission reported to the United Nations that Korea still needs to improve the wage gap between men and women and take steps to prevent child abuse and domestic violence.
The commission said Thursday that though the state has made improvements in civil and political rights between 2004 and 2007, more improvements are needed. Abolishing capital punishment and the National Security Law, and adopting alternative military service for those who refuse to carry weapons according to their conscience were mentioned.
It pointed out that the right to conduct collective action is still restricted in many areas and the widening socio-economic gap between the rich and the poor has diminished the enjoyment of social, economic, cultural and other rights.
Areas that need to be improved further include the clarification of the criteria for layoffs; prohibition of forced eviction without providing shelter; and the improvement of medical services for low-income children and elderly patients.
According to the NHRCK, it may take long for the U.N. to make actual recommendations. But once they are made, it will produce a response, the commission spokesperson said.
The U.N, conducts a Universal Periodic Review once every four years, where governments, authorized independent groups or NGOs can share their views on human rights in member countries. This is the first time a Korean group has produced such a report.
The incoming government's plan to place the NHRCK under the Presidential Office rather than retain it as an independent organization was also reported to the U.N.
Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in North Korea, mentioned in his report that ``it is essential to ensure the independence and pluralism of this national institution in conformity with international principles and standards.''