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Navigating the Crossroads: Human Rights and Governance in South Korea

James Paek
3 min readDec 8, 2023

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Recent events in South Korea have brought to light a concerning trend regarding human rights and the governance under President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. The case involving Lee Choong-sang, a Standing Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), is particularly alarming. His expressed hatred towards the LGBTIQ+ community and attempts to influence the Commission’s decisions based on this bias, as well as his stance on other human rights issues, highlight a troubling direction in South Korea’s commitment to human rights and democratic principles.

The implications of not addressing these concerns are far-reaching. If the actions of Commissioner Lee and similar attitudes within the government or its institutions go unchecked, it could lead to a systemic erosion of human rights in South Korea. This erosion risks marginalizing minority groups and could foster an environment where discriminatory practices are normalized. Moreover, it undermines South Korea’s international standing as a progressive and democratic nation committed to upholding human rights.

National Commission of Human Rights of Korea (NCHRK)

The situation also raises questions about the rise of what some critics call a “prosecutorial dictatorship” under President Yoon. This term refers to an increase in the politicization of government and legal processes, where…

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James Paek
James Paek

Written by James Paek

James Paek is an expert writer on a diverse range of subjects including SDGs, global issues, policy, criminal justice, economy, and other topics.

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