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(Check against delivery)
Statement by Ambassador PARK Sang-ki Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea
at the 62nd Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme
(Geneva, 4 October 2011)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
First of all, my delegation would like to express its sincere appreciation to the High Commissioner for his excellent leadership and to his staff for their hard work, in effectively implementing various projects to protect refugees and other people of concern around the world. I also wish to congratulate UNHCR on the achievements it has made especially in the complex situations surrounding West Africa, Libya and the Horn of Africa.
My delegation also reaffirms its support and encouragement for UNHCR’s ongoing reform initiatives, especially its structural and management change process. I wish to commend the various steps taken to consolidate results-based management (RBM) and the progress made in the area of regionalization, human resources management, oversight, and accountability. I hope these efforts will contribute to UNHCR’s fulfillment of its commitment to increase efficiency while providing the best possible results for people of concern.
As the High Commissioner points out in his report, we are faced with an ever- growing need to protect refugees, stateless people, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) around the world. Considering that UNHCR requires more resources to cope with this trend, it is a timely approach for UNHCR to try to
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broaden its donor base and engage with development actors, while drawing more support from the private sector. The Government of the Republic of Korea will contribute to UNHCR’s efforts to expand support from traditional donors.
The increasing interest and contribution of the private sector in Korea to UNHCR is another positive development that the Korean people have made in this respect.
Mr. Chairman,
According to the UNHCR’s Global Report 2010, cases of refoulement were increased in the 60 countries where credible reports of refoulement have been received. Of particular concern to my delegation is the persistent risk of refoulement that North Korean refugees are facing. Recalling relevant United
Nations General Assembly resolutions, we urge States to uphold the principle of non-refoulement. We also extend our strong support for UNHCR’s efforts to
prevent refoulement by making due interventions with relevant authorities and human rights mechanisms.
Taking this opportunity, my delegation would like to share with other delegations information on the developments and progress that my government has made in improving the protection of refugees. As the High Commissioner had introduced in his report on international protection, the Government of the Republic of Korea is trying to reduce the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process from over one year to within six months. In addition, our Government began construction of a “Refugee Support Center” in Incheon to provide assistance to the livelihood of refugee applicants and help refugees settle and adjust to the community.
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Mr. Chairman,
In early December, an intergovernmental event at ministerial level to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees will be held in Geneva. This ministerial conference will provide an important opportunity to build on the foundations of the past 60 years, to reflect on achievements to date and to shape practical and durable solutions to current challenges. The Government of the Republic of Korea is looking forward to taking part in the event and will reaffirm its commitment to the cause of protecting and assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and other persons of concern.
Thank you.
