Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 42nd Session

Universal Periodic Review of the Republic of Korea

Statement by Australia

26 January 2023

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends the Republic of Korea for its progress towards human rights promotion and protection since its last Universal Periodic Review in November 2017. We welcome the Republic of Korea’s commitment in its newly released Indo-Pacific Strategy to actively promote human rights.

We acknowledge the Republic of Korea’s support for UN Resolution 77/222 on the moratorium on the use of the death penalty in 2022. This is a positive step towards towards the global abolition of the death penalty.

Australia recommends that the Republic of Korea:

1. Formally abolish the death penalty and accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
2. Adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, including protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex persons, and ensure access to legal gender recognition without prerequisites.
3. Provide alternative service options for conscientious objectors by introducing an alternative non-punitive service of genuine civilian character, under civilian control and of a length comparable to military service, and ensure that alternative service is offered without unreasonable delay.

[176 words]