# Human rights and protection concerns in South Korea > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/human-rights-and-protection-concerns-in-south-korea > Updated: 2026-08-31T04:43:03.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Human rights concerns have been raised in South Korea regarding the protection and procedural rights of vulnerable populations. Reports indicate that despite a 70 percent increase in human trafficking crimes over a five-year period, the country lacks regional victim protection agencies or support facilities. National Assembly member Lim Jong-deuk criticized the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family for a passive response, noting that the central victim protection agency is overwhelmed with a minimal staff of only three people. Separately, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has called for improved safeguards for foreign nationals in immigration detention. Following inspections of several detention centers, the watchdog found that detainees lacked adequate access to review forms and sufficient guidance regarding their rights, such as the right to request oral hearings and the extension review process. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: South Korean human rights watchdog calls for better immigration detention safeguards The National Human Rights Commission of Korea reported that immigration detainees lack sufficient access to legal forms and rights information, calling for stronger procedural safeguards. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-human-rights-watchdog-calls-for-better-immigration-detention-safeguards ### 2026-08-24: South Korea lacks human trafficking victim protection facilities South Korea lacks regional protection agencies and support facilities for human trafficking victims despite a 70% rise in crimes over five years and the implementation of a prevention law three years ago. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-lacks-human-trafficking-victim-protection-facilities --- Cite as: Human rights and protection concerns in South Korea. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/human-rights-and-protection-concerns-in-south-korea