Republic of Korea – Universal Periodic Review

Session reviewed: 42^nd session of the Universal Periodic Review
Date reviewed: January 26, 2023

Recommendation

Canada welcomes the progress made since the last UPR, and notes the Republic of Korea’s commitment to advance human rights globally as part of its “Global Pivotal State” foreign policy. Canada also welcomes the positive steps taken by the Republic of Korea to promote human rights in the DPRK by appointing an ambassador-at-large on human rights issues.

Canada recommends that the Republic of Korea:

1. Adopt an anti-discrimination law prohibiting all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and abolish Article 92-6 of the Military Criminal Act, which criminalizes consensual same-sex relations.
2. Allow conscientious objectors to serve for a length comparable to that of military service and with a variety of options to serve, to take into account the range of talent and skills that conscientious objectors can contribute to the nation.
3. Fully abolish the death penalty, which has been under a de facto moratorium for 25 years.

Canada is concerned about anti-feminist remarks made by elected officials, and urges the government to improve the situation, to address systemic barriers to gender equality, and to continue taking steps to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls.