Ahn Chang-ho, the former justice of the Constitutional Court who was newly appointed as the next chairman of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), faces fierce opposition from civic groups and social minorities. Ahn has publicly expressed his opposition to the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination bill and the recognition of the legal rights of LGBTQ people.
According to a joint statement issued by a coalition of 35 human rights groups, Wednesday, “Candidate Ahn opposed the abolition of adultery while serving as a constitutional judge, opposed the introduction of alternative services for conscientious objectors, opposed guaranteeing the right to vote for prisoners in detention facilities and recognizing the ability to testify in the video recording of statements made by children victims.”
“It is questionable whether Ahn has a deep understanding of human rights and it is rather worrisome whether the principle of separation of church and state stipulated in the Constitution can be properly observed,” the statement read, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to apologize and immediately withdraw the appointment.
Some are concerned that Ahn’s appointment might change the NHRCK’s position, which has been advocating for an anti-discrimination law since 2006.
“It is worrisome that Ahn will consider anti-LGBTQ groups that he has been working with as civic groups and cooperate with the commission or sympathize with the logic of opposing the anti-discrimination law,” said Park Han-hee, 한국을 Korea’s first transgender attorney, who has been advocating the enactment of an anti-discrimination bill at the Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights (KLPH). “The worst case scenario is to see a statement issued under the name of the commissioner saying there should not be an anti-discrimination law.”
After graduating from Seoul National University, Ahn served as a constitutional judge between 2012 and 2018. A devoted Protestant, Ahn said criticizing sexual minorities is a “religious freedom” and condemned anti-discrimination laws for restricting it.
“The anti-discrimination law contradicts the biblical worldview and creative order that God created for men and women,” Ahn wrote in his book published in June. “Sermons pointing out the sinfulness of homosexuality or criticizing heresy are restricted in public facilities such as Christian broadcasting, newspapers, social media, public squares, streets, military and churches.”
Some worry that the committee’s presence as a human rights watchdog looking over the rights of the socially vulnerable and disadvantaged will weaken as Ahn takes office.
“The socially vulnerable may feel more humiliated and intimidated that they are not socially protected because they lost a place to go when they are discriminated against,” Park said. “If (the NHRCK) fails to relieve realistic discrimination, the government and the National Assembly will not care about the NHRCK and the commission’s presence could be weakened day by day.”
Ahn will start his term as commissioner after a National Assembly hearing.