1. At the high-level segment of the 37^th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on February 26, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha delivered a keynote speech: With the year 2018 making the 70^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, she brought renewed attention to “the pivotal moments of progress as well as set-back for human rights around the world,” and put forward a vision for the international community in terms of narrowing “the gap between the (human rights) commitments… and the reality on the ground.” She went on to relay the commitment of the Republic of Korea to, in the process, share with the international community its experiences in the development of democracy and human rights, and make strong contributions by playing a role commensurate with its international standing.

2. Minister Kang voiced concern over the fact that currently, “the innate spirit of freedom and dignity… at the core of all human beings… is being suppressed, discouraged and cowered in situations of repression, protracted conflicts and terrorism, poverty and inequality,… (the result thereof being the prevalence of) discrimination and marginalization, violence and hatred.” Saying, “Peaceful and prosperous societies are best constructed and sustained upon firm grounding in human rights,” the Minister stressed that in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, “steadfast and enlightened leadership” committed to further honoring dignity and basic rights of humanity is all the more necessary.

3. In particular, Minister Kang brought attention to the fact that the ROK, “frequently cited as an exemplary case of successful socio-economic development and democratization,… (recently) ushered in a new era for democracy” through “candlelight rallies of peacefully demonstrating citizens”; that “That did not happen overnight” but it did so as a result of “decades of civil society activism that had inculcated a sense of ownership and participation among the public”; and that the ROK government, in cooperation with civil society and provincial government agencies, will double efforts to protect human rights and promote democracy.

4. Minister Kang expressed support for the women empowerment efforts by Secretary-General Guterres and other leaders of the UN; noted that the “me too” movement, which is spreading in the ROK and many other countries, demonstrates that much more needs to be done in safeguarding and promoting the rights of women and girls; spoke of the ROK government’s plan to work harder to ensure gender equality and protect women’s rights; and relayed the ROK government’s commitment to contribute actively to the international efforts to eradicate sexual violence in peace times and conflict.

5. The Minister, humbly acknowledging that “Previous efforts to resolve the ('comfort women') issue had clearly lacked a victim-centered approach,” mentioned that the ROK government will work with victims, their families and civil society support groups in a bid to “help heal (the victims’) scars and restore their dignity and honor,” and that “It is crucial to ensure that current and future generations learn from their painful history so that the mistakes of the past are never repeated.”

6. Minister Kang said, “The PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games which had ended (the day before had) sent a message of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and beyond,” adding, “The PyeongChang Paralympics, to be held March 9th to 18th, will demonstrate the greatness of the human spirit… and indeed the heartfelt aspiration for peace”; and stressed that “It is imperative to ensure that the spirit of PyeongChang lives long after the Games so that peace can take firm root on the Korean Peninsula and the dire human rights situation in the North can be improved.” Bringing attention to the need to resume as soon as possible reunions of families separated during the Korean War, she urged the North Korean government to take tangible steps to improve the human rights situation of its people, and asked for continued attention of the international community to that end.

* unofficial translation