By UN Journal Kayla Lee
 

Dr. Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst of the Transnational Justice Working Group (TJWG), was appointed as a member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on July 8, 2025.

The WGAD is one of the special procedures of the HRC and is composed of five members appointed from each of the UN’s five regional groups. The WGAD investigates cases of deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily or inconsistently with international human rights standards, and adopts an opinion as to the arbitrariness of the detention and presents necessary recommendations.

Dr. Shin is the second Korean national to be appointed as a member of the WGAD. He is expected to contribute to the international community’s efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, including addressing the issue of arbitrary detention.

The Republic of Korea, as a member state of the HRC for the 2025-2027 term, is actively taking part in global efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights. The ROK government will continue to extend its support to competent Korean experts for their representation in the UN human rights mechanism.