美国2011年度人权国别报告_韩国.pdfVIP

REPUBLIC OF KOREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Republic of Korea (South Korea or ROK) is a constitutional democracy governed by President Lee Myung-bak and a unicameral legislature. In 2008 the Grand National Party obtained a majority of National Assembly seats in a free and fair election. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. The primary human rights problems reported were the government ’s interpretation of national security and other laws to limit freedom of expression and restrict access to the Internet as well as incidents of hazing in the military. Other human rights problems included some official corruption; sexual and domestic violence; children engaged in prostitution; trafficking in persons; societal discrimination against foreigners, defectors from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea), and persons with HIV/AIDS; and limitations on worker rights. The government took steps to prosecute officials who committed abuses, and impunity was not evident. Section 1. Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom from: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. During the year there were 40 suicides among military personnel, 10 of which were attributed to hazing, mistreatment, or an inability to adjust to military life. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) conducted independent investigations of these incidents and made no arrests. The ministry maintained a suicide prevention program. b. Disappearance There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2 c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The law prohibits such practices, and there were no reports that government officials employed them. During the year the MND reported