Opening of the 'Songpa-gu Human Rights Center'

Established to advance human rights policies and strengthen residents' basic rights, providing systematic support for human rights policy, education, culture, and counseling... Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, states, "We will support the activation of the center so that Songpa residents can enjoy the right to a happy life."

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) opened the 'Songpa-gu Human Rights Center' on March 31 to promote advanced human rights policies and strengthen the basic rights of residents.

Mayor Park Seong-su explained the background of establishing the Human Rights Center, saying, "As neighbors become increasingly marginalized due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and the overall human rights sensitivity of the public rises, it has become a timely demand for autonomous districts to reflect and develop these in their policies."

The event was held with the attendance of Mayor Park, representatives of local welfare organizations, and Songpa-gu youth committee members, starting with a plaque unveiling ceremony, followed by commemorative photo sessions and a tour of the center.

After the opening ceremony, a special human rights lecture was held as the second part of the event. Under the theme of "Improving Human Rights Sensitivity and Preventing Workplace Power Harassment," an in-depth education session covering the history of human rights and the importance of an equal community was conducted with about 150 district office employees attending.

The Songpa-gu Human Rights Center plans to systematically implement human rights projects across four main areas: policy (establishing basic plans for human rights promotion, human rights impact assessments and surveys, institutional improvements for public and affiliated organizations), education (human rights education for residents and public officials, outreach youth human rights education), culture (publishing human rights white papers, developing resident-participation human rights programs), and counseling (consultations on human rights violations caused by Songpa-gu policies, and consultations on sexual harassment and discrimination by public and affiliated organizations).

Currently, the center is located in a separate office space within the Audit Department on the 4th floor of the district office, but to ensure independent operation of human rights work, it plans to relocate to 46-8 Bangi-dong in January 2023.

Mayor Park Seong-su stated, "I hope the Songpa-gu Human Rights Center will play an important role in enabling our residents to realize their dignity and value as human beings and enjoy the right to a happy life," adding, "We will support the center to settle well and become active so that Songpa can lead Seoul in the field of human rights."