Korean Human Rights Commission Urges Renewed Push to End Death Penalty
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea called for fresh efforts to abolish capital punishment, marking 30 years since the last execution.
Marking the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea urged a renewed debate on abolishing the death penalty, noting that the country has not executed anyone since December 30, 1997. Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho emphasized that South Korea has sustained public safety and a stable justice system without executions, presenting this as evidence for possible legal removal. He pointed to the worldwide trend, with Amnesty International reporting that about three-quarters of nations have abolished the penalty in law or practice.
While acknowledging victims' suffering and public safety concerns, Ahn argued these issues should be addressed separately from the state's authority to impose death. He called on the government and National Assembly to review legislation and consider accession to the United Nations' Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, which seeks total abolition.
Why it matters
Abolishing the death penalty would align South Korea with global human-rights standards and reshape its criminal justice policy.
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