CELEBRATING HUMAN RIGHTS

On the 9th of Dec., NCCK held its annual Human Rights Worship and Award. The second-floor chapel was full of worshippers for the observance of this day. The Statement prepared and read by Salvation Army officer Lee Jae Song and PCK youth representative, Miss Kim Su Hyun called for the parties concerned to take responsibility for the interference in the eighteenth Presidential elections; for guarantee of freedom of thought, of speech and of assembly; for correction of all discrimination; and for Korea to strengthen the legal system and guarantee human rights in the nation.

This year’s 27th Award went to Dr. Pyo Chang Won. The well-known criminologist had been a professor at the National Police Academy until the election of the present president, Park Geun Hye. At the time he observed the election fraud that took place with dismay, and resigned from his position so that he could speak freely about these abuses to democracy. He points out that in North Korea there is no opportunity to express any thoughts different from that of the single Party, and that most important to democracy is universal franchise. However, during the election, the right of the peoples’ franchise was ignored by the NIS and by the Army. Dr. Pyo speaks of public servants who have been receiving penalties or forced to resign, all for doing their duty in carrying out investigations in NIS election irregularities. Recently, evidence that agencies of government were engaged in election wrongdoing continues to be revealed.

The many who call for reform to the present government is a sign of the Spirit of the Age, and he argues, “the president should listen to people’s voice. Perhaps as we come to this time of the year’s end it is a good chance for Park Geun Hye to resolve issues related to the tampering with government”. He is hoping for the President’s good response to these issues, but is not sure it will happen. If she does take responsibility for these abuses, he jokes, it will be our Christmas miracle.