Human Rights Commissioner Candidate Ahn Chang-ho: "Oppose Anti-Discrimination Law... Could Lead to Communist Revolution"

"Religious Beliefs Do Not Undermine Objectivity"

Candidate Ahn Chang-ho for the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) reiterated his previous claim that the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act could lead to a communist revolution.

Ahn Chang-ho, the nominee for the National Human Rights Commission Chairperson, is responding to a question from Shin Jang-sik, a member of the National Assembly from the Joguk Innovation Party, regarding the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law at the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly Steering Committee on the 3rd.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, during the National Assembly confirmation hearing, candidate Ahn responded "There is such a concern" to a question from Shin Jang-sik, a member of the Party for National Innovation, who asked, "In your book, you mentioned that if the Anti-Discrimination Act is enacted, Marxists and fascists could run rampant and it could be used for a communist revolution. Do you still think so?"

When asked, "Is including homosexuality as a category of discrimination prohibition intended for a Marxist revolution?" he said, "I believe there are many who do not necessarily think so, and many people do not think so, but I think it can be used for a (Marxist) revolution."

Regarding the enactment of a comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act, he emphasized, "I oppose it in its current form." Candidate Ahn said, "I am well aware that the NHRCK has been promoting the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act so far," but added, "Many citizens oppose this part (the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act)."

Candidate Ahn is a devout Christian and currently serves as an elder. Since its establishment in 2001, the NHRCK has voiced support for the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act for over 20 years. However, there have been criticisms as candidate Ahn, nominated as the head of the NHRCK, has consistently made statements opposing it in his published books and Christian lectures.

In response to a question from Representative Shin asking, "How would you handle a gap between your religious beliefs and the duties of the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission?" candidate Ahn replied, "Even during my past public service, my personal religion did not undermine the objectivity of my public duties."

However, when asked, "Is there a gap between your personal/religious beliefs and the existing activities of the Human Rights Commission regarding the enactment of the Equality Act?" he answered, "Yes," and stated his position: "I will carefully consider both the proposals from those who support and those who oppose (the Anti-Discrimination Act) to reach a reasonable conclusion."