South Korea’s New Reform Party has addressed key human rights issues by responding to a questionnaire from Human Rights Watch. This initiative aims to provide the three major political parties with an opportunity to express their views on human rights policies ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for June 3, 2025.
The responses from the New Reform Party are available in Korean and as an unofficial English translation commissioned by Human Rights Watch. The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party did not respond to the questionnaire, which was sent in Korean on May 12.
“The New Reform Party has done South Korean voters a service by clarifying its stance on a range of human rights issues, including media freedom and online safety, and regarding North Korea,” said Lina Yoon, senior Korea researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Human rights issues have unfortunately largely been absent from South Korea’s presidential campaign.”
The questionnaire contained 16 questions focusing on topics such as emergency powers, democratic safeguards, freedom of expression, discrimination against various groups including women and LGBT people, digital rights, environmental rights, the death penalty, and policies toward North Korea. The deadline for response was May 20.
Human Rights Watch reached out multiple times to each campaign team between May 12 and May 26 via phone, text message, and email to ensure receipt of the questionnaire and encourage responses. The New Reform Party submitted its response by the deadline.
“South Korea’s elections come amid political turmoil following the president’s impeachment for imposing martial law,” Yoon said. “South Korean voters should consider how candidates will protect and advance human rights both at home and abroad.”
