E/C.12/KOR/CO/4
United Nations
Economic and Social Council
Distr.: General
19 October 2017
Original: English
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of the
Republic of Korea*
1.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the fourth
periodic report of the Republic of Korea on the implementation of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/KOR/4) at its 54th and 55th
meetings (E/C.12/2017/SR.54 and 55) held on 20 and 21 September 2017, and adopted the
following concluding observations at its 78th meeting, held on 6 October 2017.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth periodic report of the State
party and the written replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/KOR/Q/4/Add.1). The Committee
appreciates the constructive dialogue held with the State party’s intersectoral delegation.
B.
Positive aspects
3.
The Committee welcomes the legislative, institutional and policy measures taken to
promote economic, social and cultural rights in the State party, including:
(a)
Amendment of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act in
2016 providing for a transparent and participatory selection process;
(b)
Act on the punishment of the crime of child abuse of 2014;
(c)
Refugee Act of 2013;
(d)
Act on gender impact analysis and assessment of 2011;
(e)
Amendment of 2010 of the higher education act, which placed an upper
ceiling on tuition fee increases.
4.
The Committee welcomes the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and
Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2010.
C.
Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
National action plan for human rights
5.
While noting the statistical data on the activities implemented under the second
national action plan for human rights, the Committee is concerned that the plan has not
been sufficiently used to fully implement the concluding observations following the State
* Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-second session (18 September-6 October 2017).
GE.17-18109(E)