» Police forcefully block human rights activists with disabilities from submitting a petition to National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) Chairperson Hyun Byung-chul calling for his resignation in front of the NHRCK. (Photo by Kim Jin-su)
» Four private broadcasters, engaging in anti-North Korea propaganda broadcast. hold a joint press conference at the Seoul Press Center, Dec. 6. (Yonhap News Agency)
South Korea’s human rights watchdog has come under fire again for recently asking police to forcibly quell a sit-in protest by human rights activists with disabilities at its building in Seoul.
It was confirmed that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) had sent last Friday an official document to call on the police to take necessary measures for dispersing about 160 human rights activists with disabilities who waged on a sit-in protest last Thursday after occupying the NHRCK offices, demanding NHRCK Chairperson Hyun Byung-chul’s resignation.
NHRCK also drew criticism by approving a recommendation for the government to resume anti-North Korea propaganda while tension runs high in the wake of North Korea’s shelling on Yeonpyeong island. NHRCK’s plenary committee Monday adopted the recommendation, including resumption of loudspeaker broadcast and flying leaflets, in a 6-2 vote, saying the government needs to show the reclusive North Koreans the real outside world "through all means possible.”
South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday it has been sending anti-North Korea leaflets across the border and was ready to resume propaganda broadcasts.
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