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South Korea Republic of Korea: Child Soldiers Global Report 2001 From the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers Although there is currently no armed conflict in the Republic of Korea, no peace treaty has been signed with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the two states technically remain at war. The demilitarised zone between North and South Korea is among the most heavily fortified in the world and the scene of sporadic incursions and skirmishes. A brief gun battle was fought in 1999 by South and North Korean navies for the first time since the Korean war. Contacts have increased in recent years culminating in a first summit of the two heads of state in 2000. It is not known whether there are any under-18s in government armed forces due to conflicting information on recruitment age. June 12, 2001 Republic of Korea: Landmine Monitor Report 2000 The Republic of Korea (ROK) has not signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. While acknowledging the humanitarian consequences of antipersonnel mines, the ROK is one of the governments that has been most vocal in insisting on the legitimacy and military necessity of continued use of antipersonnel landmines. South Korea was one of just ten governments to abstain on UN General Assembly Resolution 51/45, passed 156-0 on 10 December 1996, urging states to vigorously pursue an international agreement banning antipersonnel landmines. ROK has also been among the few to abstain on the pro-Mine Ban Treaty UNGA resolutions in 1997, 1998 and 1999. August 1, 2000 Labor Rights Violations Under Democratic Rule Since the end of 30 years of military dictatorship and the election in 1992 of the country’s first civilian president in three decades, the Republic of Korea is a more open country with a government that pledges respect for international human rights. Nevertheless, it has not lived up to its pledges. Key laws that suppressed human rights in the country during the decades of military rule have not been changed, and Pres. Kim Young-Sam used them against political opponents and labor activists. It is still legal in South Korea for the security forces to carry out arbitrary arrests and detentions, and for the government to suppress free association, expression and assembly for workers and other dissidents. HRW Index No.: C714 November 1, 1995 Retreat from Reform Labor Rights and Freedom of Expression in South Korea Despite the South Korean government’s June 1987 promise of reforms, there is a wide disparity between the rhetoric of democracy achieved and the reality of the retreat from reform. The government of President Roh Tae-Woo has failed to deliver on promises of reform in two key areas: worker rights and freedom of expression. It continues to violate the workers’ right to elect their own leaders and take collective actions; riot police are frequently used to break up strikes and workers’ rallies. The government regularly employs the National Security Law to arrest its critics and advocates of unification with North Korea; publishing houses are raided and "objectionable” materials confiscated; writers, publishers and editors are rounded up; and military and civilian security agencies engage in domestic surveillance. HRW Index No.: 0-929692-75-6 November 1, 1990 Purchase online
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View the "Crisis Guide" by the Council on Foreign Relations  
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