11/06/2015 JUA Case No Country Mandate(s) KOR 2/2015 Republic of Korea Arbitrary detention; Freedom of expression; Freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Human rights defenders; Summary of the allegation transmitted Alleged excessive use of force against and detention of protestors and human rights activists during peaceful protests commemorating the Sewol ferry accident and during the Labour Day march. According to the information received, on 11 April 2015, Mr. Hyun-sik Kim and Mr. Hyung-jae Ham, both members of the People’s Committee for the Sewol Ferry tragedy, were arrested following their participation in a peaceful protest that called for an independent investigation into the Sewol ferry accident. On 16 and 18 April 2015, protests were held in Seou to mark the one-year anniversary of the Sewol ferry accident. The police reportedly used water cannons containing pepper spray and tear gas to control the crowds and arrested 79 protestors, including Mr. Jang-hee Kwon and Mr. Kwang-chul Kang. On 1 and 2 May 2015 at 3 p.m., the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions organized a Labour Day March, which was joined by Sewol families and members of the Coalition on the Sewol Ferry Disaster in solidarity with the workers. It is reported that approximately forty people were arrested, including Mr. Gil-soo Ahn and Mr. Gi-ho Lee. To date, Mr. Hyung-jae Ham, Mr. Hyun-sik Kim, Mr. Jang-hee Kwon, Mr. Kwang-chul Kang, Mr. Gil-soo Ahn, and Mr. Gi-ho Lee remain in detention. Reply A/HRC/31/79 20 Date Type