The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has decided to resubmit an agenda item expressing its opinion on a partial amendment to the Martial Law Act, which focuses on specifying the requirements for declaring martial law and preventing violations of basic rights during martial law.
On July 3, the NHRCK held its 16th Standing Committee meeting, where it decided to resubmit the agenda item. The commission plans to finalize its official opinion on the amendment to the Martial Law Act by early next month and formally deliver it to the Speaker of the National Assembly.
During the meeting, the commission organized its opinion around recommendations that had not been reflected in previous National Assembly discussions, such as clarifying the requirements for declaring martial law and deleting special provisions regarding residence, relocation, and collective action from the Martial Law Act.
Lee Sukjin, a standing commissioner of the NHRCK, explained that although some of the commission's recommendations overlap with several of the 38 bills already agreed upon by the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, the deletion of provisions restricting relocation and collective action during martial law, as well as the addition of compensation regulations for damages to life and physical well-being, are key proposals independently suggested by the commission.
Previously, in April, the National Assembly's National Defense Committee revised certain provisions of the Martial Law Act through bipartisan agreement, and some of the amendments passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the morning of July 3.
The NHRCK determined that it was necessary to independently express its opinion from a human rights protection perspective regarding the overall content of the passed amendments.
Lee Sukjin, standing commissioner, emphasized, "The declaration of martial law has been a tragic event that set back democracy in modern Korean history. As the commission expresses its opinion on such a significant matter, the highest priority must be placed on guaranteeing the basic rights of the people."
Kim Yongwon, another standing commissioner, stated that in order for the NHRCK to express its opinion on the amendment to the Martial Law Act, it must first thoroughly review the progress and content of the discussions in the National Assembly before making a judgment.
The NHRCK plans to finalize its official opinion on the amendment to the Martial Law Act by mid-July and formally deliver it to the Speaker of the National Assembly in early August.
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