2025.03.24
Kim Ye-won, a veteran public interest lawyer and founder of the Disability Rights Law Center, turns complex rights debates into approachable conversations in her new book, Pocket-Sized Human Rights. Known for providing free legal aid to social minorities and crime victims, she pairs frontline legal work and policy reform to address gaps in the system while also teaching and speaking to raise public sensitivity to human rights issues.
The book uses twenty questions from children to unpack everyday human rights topics, reframing rights not as abstract legalese but as the basic question: “How should people be treated?” Children’s queries repeatedly return to fairness—who gets treated equally, and why some limits are justified—making the book a clear, engaging way to explore concepts like discrimination and hate speech. Kim emphasizes that hate speech isn’t merely rude words but a force that drives people into hiding and excludes them from ordinary life.
Mindful not to be didactic, Kim wrote for young readers’ curiosity and adult reflection alike, aiming for accessible explanations that leave a lasting impact. She donated her advance to the Lighthouse Scholarship (supporting youth victims of crime), reflecting her commitment to vulnerable young people encountered through her legal work. Her central message: human rights are foundational to a sustainable society—protecting dignity helps everyone thrive—and she invites readers to engage confidently with these questions.
Original source: 사소하지만 궁금했던 ‘인권’에 관한 20가지 질문 | 예스24 채널예스 (Source: the news outlet; please refer to the original article.)
