SEOUL — South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul publicly voiced concerns over a new Taliban law in Afghanistan that significantly curtails women's rights, among other restrictive measures. The law, which also addresses men's attire and public behavior, has drawn international rebuke for its stringent regulations.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the law was issued last week by the Taliban's justice ministry and includes 35 articles that impose severe restrictions on the Afghan population. These include requiring women to cover their faces and bodies in public, banning them from speaking in public, and outlawing homosexuality and the playing of music in public spaces. Cho emphasized that such regulations "starkly defy global efforts for meaningful engagement with the country," underscoring a significant setback in human rights and individual freedoms in Afghanistan.

Cho further noted that these measures threaten the essential human dignity and rights of women, which are critical to a nation's growth. He urged the Taliban to respect international concerns and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms. Since their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban have been gradually implementing a series of informal restrictions, particularly targeting women's education and public participation.