Human Rights Commission: “30 years from now when executions will be halted… Discussion on abolition of the death penalty must be advanced.”

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea announced that there is a need to advance institutional discussions to abolish the death penalty ahead of the 30th anniversary of the cessation of executions.

Chairman Ahn Chang-ho of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea issued a statement on the 10th to mark the 24th 'World Day for the Abolition of the Death Penalty' and said, "Our country has not carried out executions since December 30, 1997, and next year will mark 30 years since executions were suspended."

Chairman Ahn said, "The experience of the past 30 years is a valuable asset that has proven that it is possible to maintain social safety and a stable criminal justice system without actually executing capital punishment, beyond the mere fact of 'suspension of punishment'."

He also emphasized that the trend to abolish the death penalty continues in the international community.

According to Amnesty International, as of the end of last year, 145 countries, or three-quarters of the world's countries, had abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.

Chairman Ahn emphasized that during discussions on the death penalty, the suffering of victims of violent crimes and their families, as well as the public's desire to live in a society safe from crime, must also be taken into consideration.

However, he pointed out that it is necessary to distinguish between guaranteeing the rights of victims and their families and strengthening the social safety net and maintaining a system in which the state deprives human life as punishment.

It was based on the fact that the death penalty is irreversible, meaning that once it is executed, it cannot be restored to its original state through any post-facto or judicial process.

At the same time, he suggested, "The government and the National Assembly should review legislative and institutional directions for abolishing the death penalty based on our society's accumulated experience, international human rights standards, and perspectives on crime victim protection and public safety," and added, "There is also a need to promote discussions on joining the UN's 'Death Penalty Abolition Protocol'."