Nomination of Human Rights Commissioners Recommended by People Power Party Rejected in Plenary Session (Comprehensive)

Ruling Party: "Anti-Human Rights Figures"
Opposition: "Democratic Party Dictatorship"

The appointment proposals for Lee Sanghyun, a professor at Soongsil University's Department of International Legal Affairs, recommended by the People Power Party as a standing commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, and Woo Insik, a lawyer at the Law Office Healim, recommended as a non-standing commissioner, were rejected.

On August 27, the National Assembly held a plenary session and voted down the appointment proposals for both candidates. Professor Lee received 99 votes in favor, 166 against, and 3 abstentions. Lawyer Woo received 99 votes in favor, 163 against, and 5 abstentions. Both were rejected.

The Human Rights Commission is composed of four standing commissioners, including the chairperson, and seven non-standing commissioners. Of these, four are selected by the National Assembly, with the ruling and opposition parties each recommending two candidates. Previously, in July, the People Power Party had recommended lawyers Ji Youngjun and Park Hyungmyung as human rights commissioners, but the proposal was postponed due to opposition from the ruling party and others.

National Assembly Plenary Session. 2025.8.25 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Democratic Party decided on a free vote, but it is reported that there were dissenting opinions within the party. Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a caucus meeting before the plenary session, "The purpose of establishing the Human Rights Commission is to protect basic human rights and establish democratic order. I believe human rights commissioners should meet this purpose. At the very least, they should uphold the constitution and democratic order. Regardless of how many times someone is recommended, if they defend insurrection or similar acts, we must carefully and seriously consider whether to approve or reject their appointment."

Shin Jangshik, a member of the Rebuilding Korea Party, criticized Professor Lee in a press release the previous day, calling him "a person who has actively opposed the work carried out by the Human Rights Commission." Regarding lawyer Woo, he said, "How can a far-right lawyer who defends those convicted of insurrection be qualified to serve as a human rights commissioner?"

After the appointment proposals were rejected, Yoo Sangbeom, deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "The Democratic Party is conducting ideological censorship simply because the candidates do not align with their views. They slander and distort the candidates without even knowing their actual lives. If the Democratic Party does not agree, does that mean nothing can be done, even though the National Assembly Act grants each party the right to recommend candidates?" Yoo further remarked, "While bills may be decided by majority vote, the right to recommend candidates was granted to political parties to recognize party politics. The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea has now shown that the opposition party no longer exists."

Suh Mihwa, a member of the Democratic Party, criticized, "I could no longer stand by and watch the People Power Party's anti-human rights recommendations for the Human Rights Commission, which is why I am speaking out today. They have recommended individuals who are unfit to wear the mantle of human rights as commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission." She added, "The right of party recommendation does not mean recommending anti-human rights figures as commissioners. Whenever the People Power Party recommends such individuals, I will continue to voice my opposition."

After Deputy Floor Leader Yoo's remarks, lawmakers from the People Power Party left the plenary session hall.

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