Human Rights
Human rights refer to the universal and inherent rights and dignity that belong to every individual regardless of their status. These rights are based on the notion that every human being deserves to live with dignity. They are universally applicable regardless of jurisdiction, ethnicity, nationality, age, or any other regional variables.
The essence, legitimacy, and content of human rights have been subjects of heated debate in philosophy and political science today. However, human rights are universally defined in international law and treaties and are enshrined in the domestic laws of many nations. Nevertheless, due to diverse societal backgrounds and cultural contexts, the explicit expression of human rights can vary across civilizations. Particularly, the scope of the terms 'rights' and 'human' in the context of human rights has been a matter of ongoing debate, and interpretations might differ depending on the regime or individuals, leading to discrepancies in legal systems and opinions.
One of the most universally recognized and referenced documents on human rights is the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights," adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This declaration, with its 30 articles, proclaims the rights of every human being in the spheres of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural life. (View the entire text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
In South Korea, the Constitution in Article 10 declares that "All citizens shall be assured of human worth and dignity and have the right to pursue happiness. It shall be the duty of the State to confirm and guarantee the fundamental and inviolable human rights of individuals." Subsequent articles up to Article 37 stipulate principles of equality, freedom, participatory rights, social rights, claim rights, and more. The human rights guaranteed by this constitution are referred to as fundamental rights.