Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the 4th described the spread of extreme private education known as the so-called "4-year-old and 7-year-old exams" as a serious child human rights issue.
Ahead of Children's Day on May 5, Commissioner Ahn said in a statement, "Excessive preemptive learning deprives children of time for play, rest, and self-expression and hinders healthy growth and development," and stated accordingly.
According to a UNICEF survey, while the academic ability of children in Korea ranked fourth among 36 countries, their well-being index ranked 27th, lower than in major countries. In particular, children's mental health ranked 34th, near the bottom, and their physical health remained at 28th.
The number of children who died from abuse reaches around 40 per year on average. Commissioner Ahn said, "The recent string of suspected child abuse deaths has dealt a major shock to our society," adding, "There are limits to punishment after the fact, and practical expansion of infrastructure such as early detection of warning signs, strengthened public intervention, and shelters that can ensure children's safety must be achieved."
Commissioner Ahn also said, "Schools must be spaces where children's human rights are alive and breathing," adding, "It is not desirable to view students' human rights and teachers' educational activities as being in an adversarial relationship." He continued, "Children's human rights can be guaranteed to the fullest when an environment is created in which teachers' human rights are respected."
Commissioner Ahn stressed that the recent discussion on lowering the age for juvenile protection under criminal law should be approached cautiously. Ahn said, "The solution is not tougher punishment, but strengthening a social support system that helps them return to the community through early identification of the background of crime, integrated support, educational intervention, and restorative justice," adding, "We should aim for thicker opportunities for restoration, not earlier punishment."
Commissioner Ahn said, "Policies and systems surrounding children should be based on the principles of rights and respect, protection and restoration, rather than competition, control, and punishment," adding, "The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will also fulfill its mandate to create a society where all children can live with dignity."