Dr. Seomihwa of Chosun University Appointed as 'Human Rights Commissioner' by National Human Rights Commission

President Moon Jae-in Nominated... First Visually Impaired Person in History

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Dr. Seo Mihwa (Chosun University) was appointed as a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission on the 1st. It is known to be the first case in the history of the National Human Rights Commission where a visually impaired person was appointed as a human rights commissioner.

According to Chosun University on the 7th, the human rights commissioners consist of 4 members elected by the National Assembly, 4 members appointed by the President, and 3 members appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with a term of 3 years. Dr. Seo was appointed by President Moon Jae-in.

Dr. Seo developed retinitis pigmentosa in the second year of middle school and became a first-degree visually impaired person. She entered a junior college but gave up her dreams due to the obstacles caused by her disability.

However, in her 30s, after experiencing a traffic accident, she deeply realized that "although I lost my eyesight, my healthy body is sufficient for studying," and at the age of 36, she courageously transferred to the Department of Social Welfare at Mokpo National University.

After completing her bachelor's degree, she knocked on the doors of several universities to continue her studies. However, universities that had little experience with visually impaired students did not accept her. The only university that allowed her admission was the Department of Public Administration and Welfare at the College of Law and Social Sciences, Chosun University. Chosun University also assigned a support staff for disabled students to assist her studies.

After enduring many hardships, she obtained her doctoral degree last February with a thesis titled "The Effect of Visual Disability Activity Support Services on the Will for Independence" (Advisor: Kim Yongseop, Co-advisor: Park Heeseo), eight years after entering graduate school. Dr. Seo Mihwa's story of overcoming numerous difficulties since childhood and ultimately earning a doctorate became a nationwide topic.

While continuing her studies, she actively engaged in human rights activities with disabled women like herself in the Jeonnam region. She opened the first sexual violence counseling center for disabled women in Jeonnam and served as co-representative and executive representative of the Jeonnam Women with Disabilities Solidarity.

Based on these activities, Dr. Seo was elected as a representative for the disabled in the 9th Mokpo City Council in 2010 and worked to improve systems related to the disabled. She also served as an advisory member on gender equality for the Ministry of Health and Welfare and is currently the director of the Yudal Center for Independent Living for the Disabled and the Jeonnam Institute for the Rights and Interests of the Disabled.

This appointment as a human rights commissioner was greatly influenced by Dr. Seo's active human rights activism.

Upon Dr. Seo's appointment as a human rights commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission, the Korea Blind Union issued a statement expressing their welcome.

A representative of the Korea Blind Union said, "We, along with 500,000 visually impaired people, warmly welcome the appointment of Dr. Seo Mihwa, director of the Jeonnam Institute for the Rights and Interests of the Disabled and a first-degree visually impaired person, as a non-standing member of the National Human Rights Commission," adding, "The appointment of a visually impaired commissioner for the first time in the history of the National Human Rights Commission will be a good opportunity to break the long-standing chains of prejudice and discrimination and to see our society grow into a mature society that evaluates disabled people based on opportunity and ability."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.