National Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea
of accession to political parties younger than voting age, thereby
allowing as many people as possible to join political parties or free
associations of citizens.
C. Opinion on the Draft of the Enforcement Decree of the Refugee Act
The NHRCK reviewed the draft of the Enforcement Decree (whose
pre-announcement of legislation was made on February 24, 2013) of the
Refugee Act. It, then, expressed its opinion, on March 21, 2013, to the
Minister of Justice on the improvement measures for the protection and
promotion of human rights of refugees.
The draft governs the necessary matters for the enforcement of the
Refugee Act on July 1, 2013. The Commission reviewed the draft, and
found that some provisions of the draft were insufficient or should be
complemented. The Commission further believed that there were matters
to be specified by the draft as they remained unspecified in the Refugee
Act.
As such, the Commission expressed the following opinions. First, legal
basis should be made for the applicants for refuge at the port of entry and
departure to receive support from such external helpers as lawyers, the
United Nations Refugee Agency, and interpretation service. Second, the
draft should expressly stipulate that refugee examiners shall do such
examining work as interviewing refuge applicants at the port of entry and
departure. Third, the qualifications requirements of refugee examiners
should be specified. Fourth, legal basis should be established to guarantee
the right of refuge applicants to ask for voice and video recording. Fifth,
Chapter 1. Improvement of Laws and Regulations, Institution, Policies, and Practices ▪▪▪ 65