The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held a plenary meeting to discuss the ‘NHRC Personnel Normalization Plan.’ This followed difficulties in performing normal duties due to 23 vacancies among the NHRC’s 273 authorized positions, caused by personnel delays.
The NHRC convened its 16th plenary session on the afternoon of the 28th to deliberate on a proposal submitted by conservative-leaning Standing Commissioner Kim Hak-sa and others titled, ‘Urgent Call for Personnel Normalization to Ensure the NHRC’s Human Rights Protection Duties.’ The proposal urged Cheong Wa Dae to expedite stalled promotion appointments—overdue for over a year—and suggested amending the National Human Rights Commission Act to delegate appointment authority for grades 3–5 civil servants to the commission’s chairperson.
Commissioner Kim explained the proposal’s background, stating, “Long-pending cases in handling appeals are not decreasing but increasing. Employees are making sacrifices as if cutting their bones due to delayed promotions.”
Currently, 23 positions remain vacant: 11 in grades 3–4 (section chief level), 7 in grade 5, and 5 in grades 6 and below. Promotions have been stalled for over a year due to the lack of presidential approval. Unlike other administrative agencies, where ministers delegate appointment authority for grades 3–5 under the Civil Service Appointment Decree, the NHRC requires presidential approval for grades 5 and above, with the commission chairperson nominating candidates.
NHRC Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho sent three official letters in May, August, and September to the presidential chief of staff requesting expedited appointments but received no response. Earlier this year, Ahn also intended to submit a ‘special report’ to the president detailing operational difficulties caused by the delays, but this was reportedly rejected.
Against this backdrop, conservative-leaning commissioners—including Kim, Han Suk-hoon, and Kang Jeong-hye—submitted the proposal, arguing that further delays were untenable. Commissioner Kim criticized, “The NHRC’s independence is crucial, yet Article 16, Paragraph 3 of the National Human Rights Commission Act grants the president final appointment authority. As a citizen, I question why this institutionally flawed clause remains and why the NHRC lacks independence.” The proposal emphasized reforming the current system to preserve the NHRC’s independence.
Commissioner Kim Yong-jik, classified as centrist, agreed: “I sympathize with the proposal’s intent, as the current system could yield undesirable outcomes if administrations change. I cannot understand opposition to this.”
Progressive-leaning commissioners opposed the proposal. Commissioner Cho Sook-hyun noted, “The proposal only addresses delayed promotions but ignores internal efforts, such as employees voluntarily relinquishing posts to resolve vacancies. Their voices must be reflected.”
Some questioned why the proposal, submitted in June, was only deliberated after three months. Commissioner Kim explained, “We initially coordinated with Cheong Wa Dae in June, but the presidential personnel administrator requested a delay until August, hence the late deliberation.”
Others inquired about the NHRC’s own efforts to fill vacancies through new hires. Commissioner Kim Min-jung asked the Operational Support Division, “Are vacancies occurring despite new appointments? Are efforts being made to fill them immediately?”
Moon Eun-hyun, head of the Operational Support Division, replied, “Lower-grade vacancies (grades 6 and below) are being filled with experienced hires. The core issue is delays in grades 5 and above.”
The plenary session lasted over four hours but ended without a decision due to disagreements between conservative and progressive commissioners. Concerns were raised that deliberating the proposal could be perceived as an attack on Cheong Wa Dae’s personnel division.
The proposal will be reconsidered at the next plenary session.
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