The North Korean human rights issue is directly linked to the
security of the Korean Peninsula and the world
Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with U.S. Special Envoy on
North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner (February 21)
On February 21, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho met with U.S.
Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner to
discuss ways to cooperate to improve North Korean human rights.
Minister Kim assessed the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry
(COI) on Human Rights in North Korea, commemorating its 10th
anniversary this year, as a milestone in exposing the human rights
situation in North Korea and attributing accountability violations. He
further stated that the ministry will bolster cooperation with the
international community to implement the recommendations outlined in
the COI report.
In particular, Minister Kim emphasized the need for efforts to
fulfill the spirit of the Camp David summit held in August last year,
where the ROK, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to
strengthening cooperation for the resolution of the issues of
abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war.
Special Envoy Turner stated, “The severity of human rights
violations occurring in North Korea is unparalleled in any other
modern society,” and stressed that the international community and
civil society must come together to bring about changes in the North.
Moreover, Turner expressed her willingness to closely cooperate with
the South Korean government in improving human rights in North Korea
and fostering international cooperation.
