Keynote Remarks by H.E. Kim Jina Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs at the High-level Segment of the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council

Keynote Remarks by H.E. Kim Jina,

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea

High-level Segment of the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council

Geneva, 23 February 2026

Mr. Vice President,

Distinguished Delegates,

We meet at a moment many refer to as a polycrisis-a convergence of protracted armed conflicts, widening development gaps, an intensifying global climate crisis, and rapid technological change which is generating systemic instability across regions.

Technological progress has expanded windows of opportunity, yet its benefits remain uneven. Without the adequate safeguards, emerging technologies can reinforce surveillance, misinformation, and discrimination, deepening exclusion for those already most vulnerable and undermining democratic values.

Meanwhile, conflicts around the world are becoming longer and more complex with the use of technology as witnessed in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan, and development disparities persist both within and between societies. These structural pressures translate into unequal access to safety, healthcare, education, and justice, contributing to a broader regression in the human rights environment-felt most acutely by women, children, migrants, refugees, and other marginalized communities.

As unilateral approaches gain ground, governance gaps widen and multilateral cooperation faces growing strains. Strengthening and reforming the UN system under the UN80 initiative is therefore essential to ensure that global communities deliver real protection on the ground. We must not compromise our key priorities. In this context, the work of the Human Rights Council is more important than ever, and human rights norms must guide our responses to conflict, development, and technological change alike.

In this environment, all states share a responsibility to translate principles into practices. The Republic of Korea is prepared to shoulder its part. Indeed, Korea's democratic institutions have demonstrated resilience through the rule of law and civic participation. At the same time, as an active developer of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Korea seeks to contribute to global norm-setting and governance frameworks that ensure innovation remains aligned with human rights principles, equity, and public responsibility.

Building on this foundation, Korea will seek to contribute in three practical ways.

First, we will promote a human rights-based approach in response to emerging technologies and share policy experiences with developing partners to set responsible AI principles. We remain concerned that the misuse of digital innovation can generate significant human rights harms. Korea is committed to working with international partners and UN human rights institutions to mitigate these risks through engagement with UN mechanisms.

Second, we will expand our development cooperation that empowers youth and communities, and strengthens health systems, social protection, digital access and climate resilience, based on a whole-of-society approach, so that development gaps do not become rights gaps. In implementing its development cooperation, Korea emphasizes its contribution to the achievement of the SDGs.

Third, we will reinforce protection and ensure accountability for those most at risk, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. While joining the international community's efforts to prevent such violence from reoccurring, we remain committed to restoring the honor and dignity of the "comfort women" victims, bearing in mind the historical lessons learned from their experiences. Furthermore, we will also continue efforts to counter hate speech and the dissemination of false information, including through strengthened legal protections for survivors, as an amendment to the Comfort Women Victims Act was recently passed.

On the Korean Peninsula, we will continue to work with the international community to substantively improve the human rights of the people of the DPRK, while pursuing dialogue on pressing humanitarian issues, including separated families, abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war.

Mr. Vice President,

In times of uncertainty, our shared commitment to human dignity must remain constant. At this milestone of the 20th anniversary of the Council, Korea, as its proud and responsible member, stands fully ready and willing to work with all partners to strengthen a multilateral system that protects the rights of all people.

Thank you. /END/