Seoul: The state human rights watchdog adopted a controversial recommendation on Monday to ensure President Yoon Suk Yeol’s defense rights during his ongoing impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. The decision by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) followed growing demands from Yoon’s supporters for a fair trial.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the NHRCK reached the decision during a plenary meeting, with six commissioners voting in favor and four against, out of a total of 11 commissioners. The decision has been met with criticism from the opposition, who labeled it as “the day the NHRCK died.”
Kim Yong-jik, a standing commissioner at the NHRCK, expressed concern, stating, “The Human Rights Commission is the last safeguard for human rights, and it should only make recommendations related to human rights and not politically charged issues.”
The meeting was convened after an NHRCK standing commissioner proposed the recommendation in response to the national crisis triggered by Yoon’s brief martial law declaration on December 3 last year. Previous discussions on January 13 and 20 were halted due to protests from supporters of liberal opposition parties.
Earlier in the day, pro-Yoon demonstrators attempted to enter the NHRCK building in central Seoul, aiming to counter protesters opposing the recommendation. Police intervened, dispersing the demonstrators.
The divide over the recommendation reflects a broader political tension, with Yoon’s supporters advocating for its adoption, while opposition parties and their supporters strongly oppose it. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties visited the commission ahead of the meeting to voice their opinions on the matter.