By Kim Young Shin

“The promotion of democracy and human rights is the prerequisite to creating a country worthy of being called a country, and is the built-in and destined responsibility of the Moon Jae-in administration,” said Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. He was speaking during a ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, at the Government Complex Seoul on Dec. 8.

“There were several twists and turns throughout the history of the Republic of Korea, but the country has continually advanced democracy and human rights, and has amazed the world,” said the prime minister.

He mentioned some regressions in terms of human rights, such as the downsizing of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea that occurred under the previous administration, followed by the Candlelight Movement, which expressed people’s wish for a “country worthy of being called a country” and their hopes to turn over a new leaf. “One of the policy goals of the Moon administration is to make ‘a just Republic of Korea,’ which means that there should be no victims.”

“To reach the goal of promoting democracy that puts people first, we will eradicate the blind spots in terms of human rights and the get rid of discrimination against the socially disadvantaged and minorities,” said Lee.

ysk1111@korea.kr