hankyoreh

Four private broadcasters

engaging in anti-North Korea propaganda broadcast. hold a joint press conference at the Seoul Press Center

South Korea’s human rights watchdog has come under fire again for recently asking police to forcibly quell a sit-in protest by human rights activists with disabilities at its building in Seoul.

It was confirmed that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) had sent last Friday an official document to call on the police to take necessary measures for dispersing about 160 human rights activists with disabilities who waged on a sit-in protest last Thursday after occupying the NHRCK offices, demanding NHRCK Chairperson Hyun Byung-chul’s resignation.

NHRCK also drew criticism by approving a recommendation for the government to resume anti-North Korea propaganda while tension runs high in the wake of North Korea’s shelling on Yeonpyeong island. NHRCK’s plenary committee Monday adopted the recommendation, including resumption of loudspeaker broadcast and flying leaflets, in a 6-2 vote, saying the government needs to show the reclusive North Koreans the real outside world “through all means possible.”

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday it has been sending anti-North Korea leaflets across the border and was ready to resume propaganda broadcasts.

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik held a press conference Monday to announce the government’s plan to rebuild Yeonpyeong Island’s village, which was devastated in the Nov. 23 artillery attack by North Korea. The government will use 30 billion Won ($26 million) out of emergency funds this year to build temporary houses on the mainland, repair facilities and air shelters on the island, and creat jobs. Many residents who left the island, however, appeared highly disappointed with government’s announcement, as they have demanded permanent residence on the mainland.

Shin Sang-hoon, the suspended chief executive of Shinhan Financial Group Co., offered to resign from his post Monday, raising prospects that a three-month-long internal feud appears to near its end.

Shin said he was offering his resignation as “my last duty for the group and colleagues whom I have loved,” dropping a demand that Shinhan Bank President Lee Baek-soon, who supported Ra Eung-chan, should step down.　

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