UN human rights czar questions role of Korean firms in Saudi Arabia

A digitally rendered image of NEOM city in Saudi Arabia [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recently raised questions regarding the possible involvement of Korean companies in human rights violations in Saudi Arabia.

In a letter addressed to the Korean government, the UN special rapporteurs on adequate housing, adequate standard of living and the issue of human rights and transnational corporations highlighted the recent alleged persecution of members of the Howeitat tribe, many of whom were evicted from their hometowns where Saudi Arabia is developing its NEOM Project.

NEOM is the kingdom's $500 billion futuristic city in its northwestern Tabuk Province, designed to be 170 kilometers (105 miles) long, and has attracted investments from a number of international companies, including from Korea.

“Please highlight the steps that your Excellency's government has taken, or is considering to take, in relation to this project, to protect against human rights abuse by business enterprises domiciled in the Republic of Korea,” reads the special rapporteurs' letter dated April 28.

According to the UN and its special rapporteurs, a number of members of the Howeitat tribe have allegedly been sentenced to death or handed prison sentences for “their legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of opinion and expression, voicing their protest against the planned forced evictions under the NEOM Project.”

They also asked if the Korean government has provided the companies with any guidance on respecting human rights of throughout their operations, and whether they have prepared any grievance mechanisms to address the impact on human rights they have caused or contributed to.

Korea in a written response to the OHCHR on June 21 highlighted its existing guideline on human rights issued by its Ministry of Justice “to guide companies in implementing human rights due diligence and remedy procedures in accordance with international human rights standards.”

“Regarding the construction industry, the conservation of indigenous communities and traditional livelihoods and avoidance of forced displacement and resettlement of indigenous people are identified as major human rights issues, among others,” reads the letter from the Permanent Mission of Korea to Geneva. “The Guideline further encourages efforts to prevent and minimize any adverse human rights impact on local communities, especially the rights to life and adequate housing, when conducting business activities.”

The special rapporteurs had also sent similar letters to the governments of Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. They also made the same address to their companies or multinational corporations, totaling some 20, known to be taking part in the NEOM project.

“The NEOM City project has been criticized for violating human rights, such as arresting and torturing, and even sentencing to death indigenous residents who oppose forced evictions,” said Shin Hee-seok, a researcher at the Transitional Justice Working Group in Seoul. “The Korean government and businesses will have to pay special attention and show caution.”

BY PARK HYUN-JU, ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]