• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.54
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• pp.1-44
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• 2016

Using the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child(UNCRC) as a frame of reference, this study examined South and North Korean children's rights as reported in the UNCRC and the pattern of changes in the reports depending on the period in which the reports were written. For this purpose, we reviewed Article 1 of the Convention to see what age range the South and North Korean governments, respectively, specify to define a child. We also analyzed the method and attitude of how each Korean government acknowledges the rights of children in the four general principles of the Convention("non-discrimination", "the best interests of the child", "the right to life, survival, and development" and "respect for the views of the child"). The results showed that there was asymmetric content between South and North Korea in the four general principles of the Convention. Both South and North Korea lack a sense of respect for the views of children. There were also differences in the rights of children depending on the distinct characteristics of each Korea. In South Korea, it is important to guarantee the rights of multicultural children and provide a plan for child safety. On the other hand, North Korea has emphasized that they provide the necessities of life and free education to children. Both Koreas have continuously submitted their reports and showed improvement in understanding the rights of children in each report. We conclude that it is essential for South and North Korea to build common ground in their respective contents on children and to establish a foundation of normative standards in the path to prepare for reunification. Moreover, we also conclude that South and North Korea should work collaboratively to reach mutual consent to achieve these goals.