South Korea Human Rights
Human Rights Concerns
One of the most important human rights issue in South Korea continues to be the National Security Law, which is used arbitrarily to curtail the right to freedom of expression and association, providing long sentences or the dealth penalty for loosely defined ‘anti-state’ activities.
Despite of AI's continuous urgings over the years to abolish/reform the law according to international standards, there has yet to be any change. As of July 2005, there were 8 people serving sentences under the NSL. In addition to the NSL, there were 758 conscientious objectors (mostly Jehovah’s Witnesses) detained for refusing to perform compulsory military service as of June 2004.
South Korea was one of the first Asian countries to guarantee the rights of migrant workers - but today migrant workers in the country are exposed to abusive work conditions including discrimination, verbal and physical abuse. » More actions
Latest News
'Room for improvement' on South Korea human rightsNovember 24, 2009
USA: Amnesty International Urges Obama to Not Ignore Human Rights During his Meeting with ASEAN Leaders
November 12, 2009
South Korea: Migrant workers treated as 'disposable labour'
October 21, 2009
South Korea: In New Report, Amnesty International Calls on South Korea to Cease Mistreatment of Migrant Workers
October 20, 2009
South Korea releases Secretary General of the World Uighur Congress
September 18, 2009
South Korea: Secretary General of World Uighur Congress denied entry to South Korea
September 17, 2009
Latest Reports
Vital UN human rights work under threatMay 09, 2007
Amnesty International Magazine article: Eviction Noticed
September 06, 2006
South Korea:'Migrant workers are also human beings'
August 17, 2006
Republic of Korea (South Korea): Open Letter to all Leaders of Political Parties: An Important Duty to Revitalise Efforts to Fundamentally Repeal or Review the National Security Law
October 12, 2004
