Unification Spokesperson’s Commentary
February 27, 2014
The following is the R.O.K. government’s stance on Kim Jung wook’s
press conference in North Korea.
It is regrettable that North Korea unilaterally detained our South
Korean citizen without any explanation in advance. We have stated our
stance several times regarding this issue.
On November 7th last year, North Korea unilaterally made an
announcement on the arrest of our citizen without providing any
specific details or information of the person or the course of his arrest.
North Korea consistently ignored our government’s subsequent
requests to verify our citizen’s identity and to release and
repatriate him until going public today. This goes directly against
the principles of humanitarianism.
Also, it is difficult to understand why the North termed our citizen
who engaged in pure religious activities as an ‘anti-state’ criminal.
We, the R.O.K. government, strongly urge North Korea to immediately
release and repatriate our citizen to the South.
The contents of North Korea’s investigation mentioned at the press
conference can be verified when Kim Jung wook is repatriated.
North Korea must guarantee personal safety of and provide
conveniences for our citizen Kim Jung wook until his repatriation.
Also, we urge the North to actively cooperate in allowing the family
and the counsel to access Kim Jung wook.
We expect North Korea to come out to the path of improving
inter-Korean relations by showing a responsible attitude towards our
government’s legitimate request.