Korea selected to UN rights council for third time

Korea secured another three-year term on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday, reflecting its efforts to promote human rights around the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday.

It is the third time that Seoul has been given a seat on the council after its first stint from 2006 to 2008 and second from 2009 to 2011.

According to the ministry yesterday, Korea was elected after receiving 176 votes from 193 UN member countries.

It was one of 18 countries to take a council seat in this year’s election on the 47-member council along with the United States, Japan, Germany and the United Arab Emirates.

Their term begins next year on Jan. 1.

“The international society has highly evaluated Korea’s constructive contributions in promoting human rights around the world,” the ministry said in a statement.

“South Korea being a council member will solidify its position and status in the international society, even more so as it was also elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

Last month, Korea regained its status on the UN Security Council, the international organization’s most powerful committee.

It was the second time that Korea has been elected as a non-permanent member after competing against Cambodia and Bhutan.

“We, as a member of the human rights council, will actively participate in handling international human rights issues,” the ministry said.

The intergovernmental body under the UN was established in March of 2006 to replace the former UN Commission on Human Rights.

By Lee Eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr]