South Korea's Human Rights Commission Endorses Yoon's Defence Rights Amid Impeachment
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Synopsis
On February 10, South Korea's human rights commission endorsed a controversial recommendation to uphold President Yoon Suk Yeol's right to defence in his ongoing impeachment trial. The decision faced backlash from opposition parties and was a focal point of protests surrounding Yoon's martial law declaration.
Key Takeaways
- The NHRCK approved a contentious recommendation for Yoon's defence rights.
- Six votes favored the proposal, while four opposed.
- Opposition criticized the decision as politically motivated.
- Protests erupted both for and against the recommendation.
- Yoon has been indicted on charges related to martial law.
Seoul, Feb 10 (NationPress) The South Korea's state human rights watchdog approved on Monday a contentious recommendation aimed at ensuring President Yoon Suk Yeol's right to legal defence during his ongoing impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court.
The decision, made by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), was reached during a plenary session as demands grew among Yoon's advocates for a fair trial.
The proposal received six votes in favor and four against from the 11 commissioners present.
Opposition members criticized the ruling, labeling it as “the day the NHRCK ceased to function.”
“The Human Rights Commission should solely focus on human rights recommendations, avoiding politically sensitive matters,” remarked Kim Yong-jik, a standing commissioner at the NHRCK.
The meeting followed a suggestion by an NHRCK standing commissioner to address the national turmoil stemming from Yoon's brief martial law declaration on December 3 last year. However, the commission was unable to hold discussions on January 13 and 20 due to significant protests from supporters of liberal opposition parties.
Earlier on Monday, pro-Yoon demonstrators attempted to breach the NHRCK building in central Seoul to obstruct protestors against the recommendation but were dispersed by police intervention, according to reports from Yonhap.
Supporters of Yoon have pushed for the commission to endorse the recommendation, while opposition parties and their backers have strongly opposed it.
Prior to the meeting, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties visited the commission to share their perspectives on the matter.
Yoon was indicted on January 26 for allegedly orchestrating an insurrection through the short-lived martial law imposition on December 3. He has been in custody at the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located south of the capital, since his arrest at his official residence on January 15.
