(Seoul, 13 May 2011) The Asian NGO Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI) has concluded its mission of inquiry conducted between 11 and 13 May 2011, into the crisis affecting the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK). The ANNI delegation comprised of Ms. Poengky Indarti, Executive Director of Imparsial, the Indonesian Human Rights [ Read more ]

Open Letter 11 November 2010 His Excellency President Lee Myung-Bak Cheongwadae Sejong-ro No. 1, Jongno-gu Seoul 110-820 Republic of Korea cc. Mr Lee Kwi-nam, Minister of Justice Mr. Kim Sung-Hwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Your Excellency, The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA ) writes to you today to register our strong condemnation [ Read more ]

To:  The Chairperson, Meena Gupta Committee Greetings and peace from the People of Korea First, let me say that we appreciate your efforts regarding the Pohang Steel Company (POSCO)’s project launched in Orissa. Our civil society, including NGOs in South Korea, has been paying close attention to this project. We have noticed recently that the Saxena Committee’s report reveals [ Read more ]

After submitting a letter to the UN Security Council the investigation on the Cheonan incident, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), FORUM-ASIA member, has received condemnatory statements by government leaders and become target of investigation. In the letter below FORUM-ASIA called on the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Frank La Rue to urge [ Read more ]

A member of Korean House for International Solidarity (KHIS), Kwak No-Hyun, representing civil society and human rights organisations, has been elected on 3 June 2010 to be the new Superintendent of Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. He was a commissioner and secretary general of National Human Rights Commission of Korea and Advisory Council of Jurists [ Read more ]

FORUM-ASIA member People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) released its position paper on 4 June 2010 upon the final investigation report on the Cheonan and the countering measures of the Lee Myung-bak administration. 1. Brief on the Cheonan Incident The 1,300-ton patrol combat corvette (PCC) Cheonan split in two and sank about 1 nautical mile [ Read more ]

SEOUL (17 May 2010) – At the end of his 12-day country mission, UN Special Rapporteur Frank La Rue noted that the Republic of Korea has come a long way since the restoration in 1987 of a multi-party political system. However, he expressed concern that “since the candlelight demonstrations, the full respect for human rights, [ Read more ]

In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the May 18 democratic uprising in the Republic of Korea,  the May 18 Memorial Foundation will organise a forum at the Kim Dae Jung Convention Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea, from 17-23 May 2010. The theme of the forum is “Democracy Past, Present and Future” and will be [ Read more ]