In a significant move towards addressing human rights issues in North Korea, South Korea’s Minister of Unification, Kim Young-ho, met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on July 22 (local time) in Washington. The meeting, initially scheduled for one hour, extended to nearly an hour and twenty minutes, highlighting the urgency and depth of the discussions.
The primary focus of their discussion was on the repatriation of six South Korean citizens detained in North Korea. Among them are missionaries Kim Jung-wook, detained since October 2013, and Kim Kuk-ki and Choi Chun-gil, detained since October and December 2014, respectively. These individuals have been sentenced to labor re-education for charges including conspiracy to overthrow the state and espionage. Additionally, three North Korean defectors, detained since 2016, have yet to have their charges and sentences disclosed.
Minister Kim emphasized the need for international solidarity to resolve human rights issues in North Korea and create conditions that would compel North Korea to engage in denuclearization talks. He also briefed Deputy Secretary Campbell on new unification policies under President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration, seeking continued U.S. interest and support.
Deputy Secretary Campbell praised South Korea’s efforts and reiterated the importance of close cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. He stressed the need for various communication channels, including 1.5-track dialogues, to address the escalating crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
Following the meeting, Minister Kim attended the 2024 International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights, co-hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Unification and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). This marks the first time the event has been held abroad since its inception in 2022.
In his address, Minister Kim likened North Korean defectors to early American immigrants, calling them “pioneers of freedom.” He highlighted President Yoon’s declaration that no form of oppression can halt the pursuit of freedom, drawing parallels to the courage of the 34,000 North Korean defectors who risked their lives to escape.
The event also featured a poignant six-minute speech by actor Yoo Ji-tae, the Unification Ministry’s Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights. Yoo implored the international community to recognize and act on the human rights violations in North Korea, urging people not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of North Korean residents.
This meeting and international dialogue are important for strengthening global efforts to address North Korean human rights issues and facilitate the repatriation of detainees.
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