The Korean government will make every effort for the human rights and safety of North Korean defectors in other countries

Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner (October 17)

On October 17, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho met with Julie Turner, the U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, to discuss ways to strengthen international cooperation in promoting human rights in North Korea.

Referring to the recent forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from China, Minister Kim said he expects “the U.S. government and the international community to help resolve the issue fundamentally.”

In response, Turner said, “The U.S. is also expressing concerns over the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors,” and added that “we urge all governments to follow the repatriation principles.”

Furthermore, Turner evaluated North Korea’s human rights record as amongst the worst in the world and said that she “looks forward to working with the Ministry of Unification to hold those responsible for North Korea’s human rights violations accountable.”

Both Kim and Turner agreed that forced repatriation, against one’s free will, should never happen in the future again.