National Human Rights Commission Reintroduces Proposal to Express Opinion on Martial Law Act Amendment

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has reintroduced a proposal to express its opinion on the partial amendment bill of the Martial Law Act.

Ahn Changho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, is attending the plenary meeting held at the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, waiting for the meeting to start. Photo by Yonhap News

On July 24, during its 19th Standing Committee meeting, the Commission decided to reintroduce the agenda item regarding its opinion on the partial amendment bill of the Martial Law Act after deliberation.

The Secretariat reported that most of the amendment bills to the Martial Law Act have already been processed, and that the Commission should express its opinion to the Speaker of the National Assembly on the remaining 27 contentious bills. However, due to opposition from Standing Committee members Kim Yongwon and Lee Sukjin, the agenda item was not approved.

Standing Committee member Kim explained that a prompt expression of the Commission's opinion on the 27 bills would be premature, as the content has not been properly organized, and that it would lack the minimum respect owed to the National Assembly.

Standing Committee member Lee stated, "During the 12·3 Martial Law, the Commission did not express any opinion regarding violations of basic rights of the people, and since the amendment to the Martial Law Act has already been in effect since July 22, the timing has been missed and it is no longer persuasive."

During the meeting, controversy was also mentioned regarding lawyer Ji Youngjun, who was recommended as a Standing Committee member representing the People Power Party but whose nomination was withdrawn just before the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Chairperson Ahn Changho addressed suspicions about meeting with lawyer Ji prior to the recommendation, stating, "I have never met lawyer Ji; I only had a phone call after hearing there were discussions about a recommendation," drawing a clear line.

Standing Committee member Kim explained the increased workload on the Standing Committee members due to the vacancy and expressed the necessity of appointing candidate Ji, while Standing Committee member Lee countered that a cautious approach is needed to ensure the independence and transparency of the Commission.

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