Many students have an interest in human rights. They hope to work at an NGO or an international organization related to human rights. Korea has a human rights organization, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. The NHRC was established in 2001. The NHRC plays a role in making policies, conducting investigations, and education related to human rights in cooperation with other organizations.
Role
The commission improves human rights policy through research on laws and policies related to human rights. If people suffer human rights abuses or discriminatory acts from public institutions or companies, the commission investigates and protects the people who suffered discrimination. The commission also promotes awareness of human rights through a human rights reference library. Finally, the commission cooperates with human rights organizations to contribute to international human rights.
Interview with NHRC worker Yang Young-jin
1. What is the way to get a job at the NHRC?
The NHRC has three ways to get a job. The first way is open competitive employment. It is for successful candidates from the civil service examination who want to work at the NHRC. The second way is for workers who have experience or a degree related to human rights such as law, sociology, or politics. They have to pass an employment test. The third way is to be a member of the commission. If you want to be member, you have to fulfill two conditions, a recommendation from the National Assembly or the president or the chief justice of the Supreme Court and over 10 years work experience as a human rights specialist, judge, lawyer, public prosecutor, or professor.
2. What are the qualifications to work at the NHRC?
The NHRC wants people who have a passion for human rights, who have consideration for humanity and do their best for the principle of human rights, and who try to improve their professionalism and responsibility as a member of the NHRC. There is not a fixed qualification to work at the NHRC. We have many departments such as finance, education, investigation, and administration. You can also work as a contract worker or part-time worker. If you need more detailed information, visit the employment section of the NHRC Website.
3. Please give advice to students who want a job related to human rights.
I hope students have many kinds of human rights experience. You can read books or papers related to human rights and do volunteer work at a human rights NGO. Our Daegu office conducts many kinds of human rights programs for students.
