Annual report highlights media censorship despite 'no significant changes' in South Korea's human rights situation

The logo of the U.S. Department of State is seen on its building in Washington, D.C., in this file photo from January 2017. Reuters-Yonhap

SEOUL, August 13 (AJP) - The U.S. raised concerns over media censorship, restrictions on freedom of expression, and worker's rights in South Korea in its annual human rights report released on Tuesday.

Despite "no significant changes in the human rights situation" in the country, the State Department enumerated several cases, that occurred last year, including "credible reports of restrictions on freedom of expression" and some violations of workers' rights and discriminations.

"Media outlets and unions expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of the press and expression and questioned the impartiality of the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC), a quasigovernmental media watchdog whose nine commissioners were political appointees," the report pointed out.

Taking the case of the yearlong strikes by doctors protesting the government's medical reform plan to increase medical school admissions and the penalties they face, it also wrote, "The law provides most workers the right to form and join independent unions, conduct strikes within strict limits, and bargain collectively, though certain limitations apply."

With the country seeing an increasing influx of foreign workers, the report said, "In general, the government effectively enforced laws on wages and acceptable working conditions in most sectors, but migrants faced discriminatory laws."

Kim Hee-su khs@ajupress.com