South Korean Human Rights Commission Officials Reported for Alleged Misconduct

A group of six senior officials at South Korea's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) face legal action after being reported to prosecutors for allegedly violating public service law. The officials had collectively demanded the resignation of NHRC Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho, even offering to relinquish their own posts in protest.

The complaint, filed with the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, accuses the officials of engaging in collective action that disrupts the commission's operations and damages its credibility. The accuser, former Seoul City Council member Lee Jong-bae, argued that public servants are obligated to maintain political neutrality and focus on their duties, making their actions a clear offense.

This internal conflict surfaced last month when several department heads, starting with Kim Jae-seok, head of the military human rights protection division, announced their resignations. Although they submitted requests for their resignations to be approved, most were reassigned to their previous positions during a recent personnel reshuffle. The dissent extended beyond these officials, with staff across 30 departments reportedly voicing their opposition to Chairperson Ahn.

Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho has been a controversial figure, facing criticism for allegedly compromising the NHRC's independence and neutrality. Past actions cited include his role in passing a recommendation to guarantee "defense rights" for President Yoon Suk-yeol and his decision not to attend the Seoul Queer Culture Festival. These events have fueled the internal opposition and the current legal challenge.

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The collective action of national public officials, who are obligated to maintain political neutrality and focus on their duties, to demand the chairman's ouster by offering to resign their positions, thereby inciting internal chaos at the Human Rights Commission and damaging its trust, is a clear criminal act.