COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Press Release
HR/4282
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA
19960122 GENEVA, 19 January (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon concluded its consideration of the report of the Republic of Korea by making numerous recommendations aimed at improving the protection and promotion of the rights of the child. The Committee began examining that country's compliance with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 18 January.The delegation of the Republic of Korea continued its dialogue with the members of the Committee by providing additional information and responding to a remaining list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the report.
On healthcare and welfare, a short-term plan for promoting the social welfare of disabled children was initiated last July, the delegation said. The plan was committed to ensuring that they had an opportunity to demonstrate their skills, abilities and productivity. It was also said that children with disabilities and children in households headed by disabled persons would receive free education in vocational schools.
The Government had allocated $343 million for healthcare, the delegation continued. It had also improved pre-natal care, systems of delivery and healthcare of infants and children. The infant mortality rate had been reduced from 4.3 per 10,000 births in 1987 to 3 per 10,000 births in 1988 and continued to remain at that level. In spite of its importance, the prevalence of breast-feeding had decreased. However, an active movement to promote breast- feeding was continuing at many hospitals and among volunteer organizations.
Asked about the kind of protection offered to ill-treated children, the delegation said that if parents abused their parental authority, their power could be terminated by a judge. Children who were victims of any abuse or violence were kept in special institutions and given protection.
A question was also raised if there were abandoned children. The delegation said such cases were rare and, if they occurred, they often resulted from situations where the parents were unmarried. The Government would take care of abandoned children. Regarding abortion, it was strictly prohibited by Korean law, except in a case where the mother's life was in danger.
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One expert commented that the Korean educational system was not based on the human development of the child, but rather on the "entrance examination- oriented" education system. Another expert was of the view that the tension and anguish, as well as the fear of educational failure provoked by such an educational system, had resulted in a significant rate of suicide among students. The head of the Korean delegation had said that students were under pressure from a social atmosphere which placed special emphasis on higher academic careers.
Concerning over-populated classrooms, the delegation said the Government was making efforts to expand school facilities to accommodate the growing number of students.
Why had the Republic of Korea not ratified the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Child Labour? asked an expert. The delegation stated that one reason that ratification was delayed stemmed from the wide involvement of children of thirteen years of age as the main breadwinners for some poor families. The Government was collecting the views of concerned labour sectors in an effort to review its position regarding the Convention. Girls from thirteen to seventeen years of age were said to work more hours than their male counterparts.
With regard to juvenile delinquency, family and district courts were mainly concerned in solving crimes committed by the youth. The minimum age of persons subject to capital punishment was eighteen.
Preliminary Concluding Observations
The Committee appreciated the multidisciplinary composition of the delegation and its openness in clarifying some of the questions posed by members. The Committee was encouraged by the intention of the Government to review its reservation to certain provisions of the Convention. It was also recommended that it allocate more resources to economic, social and cultural benefits, particularly to those vulnerable segments of the population. The Korean society should no more consider children as "mini-adults" and should offer them due respect as children.
The Committee further recommended that the best interest of the child should prevail over the best interest of parents. Children should be given every opportunity to enjoy their rights. The Government should review its education system in order to meet the human development of the child through the enjoyment of proper leisure, recreation and cultural activities. It was also recommended that the Government assist children who were victims of sexual abuse and violence through a programme of rehabilitation.
The Committee urged the Government of the Republic of Korea to disseminate the spirit of the Convention so that it could easily be understood by both adults and children. The Korean Youth Charter should also reflect the rights enshrined in the Convention. * *** *