Senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk announces President Moon Jae-in’s order to raise the importance of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, at the Chunchugwan press center of Cheong Wa Dae on May 25.

By Yoon Sojung

Photos: Jeon Han

President Moon Jae-in has ordered that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) be given higher priority among government policy-makers, and has urged government organizations to adopt recommendations from the human rights watchdog more often and more consistently. 

Senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk spoke about the presidential order at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 25. 

“President Moon pointed out the fact that the Moon Jae-in administration emphasized that the new government was born from the citizens` candle light revolution” said Cho. 

“President Moon made it clear that he would break away from the previous governments` lack of respect for human rights and failure to correct wrongdoings, and that his government assures and realizes basic human rights in terms of managing state affairs,” the senior presidential secretary said. 

“President Moon will resume briefings from the commission on a regular basis, which were held as a mere formality under the Lee Myung-bak administration and which didn`t even take place during the Park Geun-hye administration,” said the secretary. 

“President Moon hopes that the commission can serve as a human rights watchdog and play a leading role in human rights protection within government bodies,” said Cho, while explaining that the commission will carry out various measures, such as conducting overall reviews of human rights condition at government ministries. 

Senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk receives questions from journalists during the briefing at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 25.

Regarding measures to increase the number of commission recommendations adopted by government bodies, secretary Cho said that President Moon ordered his office for civil affairs to conduct research into various government bodies as to the acceptance rate of commission recommendations in order to review the current status. 

President Moon also ordered government organizations that have received recommendations from the commission to increase the number of them that they accept, and to eradicate any forms of de facto non-compliant behaviors. 

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