President Roh Moo-hyun has reiterated South Korea's strong commitment to fight for the protection of human rights at the international level.

Roh made the remarks at the 7th International Conference for National Human Rights Institutions, which opened in Seoul Tuesday.

Roh said that South Korea is in the process of opening a new chapter of human rights and democracy. He hailed the power of the people that had led to the end of a dark era of human rights violations, apparently referring to decades of authoritarian rule here following the end of the Korean War, when human rights were often neglected in the name of modernization.

Roh added that his government and the ruling party are seeking legislation on investigating human rights violations and other wrongdoings of past authoritarian governments.

He also expressed high regard for the achievements made by the National Human Rights Commission, which was founded by former President Kim Dae-jung in 2000.

This year's human rights conference is the largest ever with the participation of some 150 delegates from 70 countries, including Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.