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A headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) / Courtesy of NHRCK

The state human rights watchdog has ruled in favor of a high school's ban on the use of mobile phones by its students on campus, reversing its previous position that such a ban violates their human rights.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) made the controversial decision by a vote of 8 to 2 in its plenary session attended by 10 commission members on Monday. The commission has ruled for 20 years since its establishment that a complete ban on mobile phones in schools infringes on the basic rights of students.

The NHRCK's change of stance came after a high school student in the southwestern province of South Jeolla petitioned against their school regulation that stipulates the collection of students' mobile phones during school hours. The petitioner complained that the mobile phone ban even during breaks or lunch time is a violation of students' human rights.

Commission members who voted for the school regulation reportedly argued that students' use of mobile phones in classes may disrupt teachers, citing similar bans adopted by schools in France and the United States.

But other members with a minority opinion expressed concern that the blanket collection of mobile phones could limit students' self-expression and the majority opinion conflicts with the NHRCK's previous position. (Yonhap)