The results of intensive survey of human rights abuses in south Korea including the authorities' suppression of assemblies and demonstrations, restriction of the three labor rights, etc. made me feel that the freedom of assembly and association has stepped back in south Korea in recent years, the rapporteur said.

The rapporteur expressed concern over the fact that the south Korean authorities are citing "security threat from north Korea" as a pretext for abridging the freedom of assembly and association.

Conveying the news of the press conference, the south Korean internet newspaper Voice of People in an editorial on January 30 said that the results of the investigation were important as they were international community's observation and diagnosis of the present regime's unilateral revival of dictatorship.

The editorial warned the authorities that if they persistently seek excuses, defying recommendations of the international organization, they will suffer international disgrace, leaving a serious stain.