- The issue of human rights in the military is highly likely to cause serious human rights violations in
cluding the right to life and health due to the nature of the military, and considering the fact that the
drafting system is being implemented and the military will be reorganized centered on senior officers(se
rgeant level) in the future, there is also a need to have measures to respond to issues of discriminatio
n.
- Accordingly, it is appropriate to designate the military human rights protection officer with a position
that could guarantee the independence and expertise in carrying out the duties. In addition, if the prote
ction officer is not allowed to investigate the cases that are already being investigated by the Military,
it would not be able to fulfill the function of monitoring and balancing on major cases. Therefore, ther
e is a need for the protection officer to investigate serious human rights infringement cases such as de
ath and assault even when they are already being investigated by the military.
2) Questions
- Please provide measures to enhance military culture to prevent assault, sexual harassment, sexua
l violence and cruel treatment in the military.
- Please present detailed plan to establish the military human rights protection officer under the
NHRCK, and specify stance with regards to the idea to appoint the military human rights protec
tion officer as Standing Commissioner (vice-ministerial level) who has standing access to the milit
ary in order to enhance access to the military.
- Please specify stance about the idea to allow the military human rights protection officer to inv
estigate the cases of serious human rights violations including assault and death that are already
being investigated by the military.
12. Migrant Workers
1) Current Status
- In spite of amendment of the Employment Permit System in 2012, migrant workers in Korea are stil
l faced with various issues including limited opportunity to change workplace, limited period of stay in
Korea, impossibility of family union, and restricted possibility of visa change which undermines long-t
erm stay or acquisition of permanent resident permit and increases risk of undocumented stay.