Boosting cooperation on the improvement of human rights in North Korea, including halting the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from other countries

Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with representatives of the U.S.-based HRF (October 23)

On October 23, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho met with representatives of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) to exchange opinions on North Korean human rights.

* A civic group founded by Thor Halvorssen, a film producer and human rights advocate, in 2005, dedicated to protecting human rights in closed societies, including North Korea.

Minister Kim mentioned that he is closely monitoring HRF’s activities to improve human rights in North Korea, support North Korean defectors, and expand the access of North Korean residents to information. The minister also expressed his agreement with the effectiveness of a “cultural approach” in addressing North Korean human rights issues.

Thor Halvorssen Mendoza, CEO of HRF, informed the minister that his organization is planning to hold its international Oslo Freedom Forum on human rights promotion in multiple locations in Asia and asked the Ministry of Unification for its interest in HRF’s activities.

Both Kim and Halvorssen expressed concerns about China’s recent forcible repatriation of North Korean defectors and shared the need for the international community to work more closely to prevent such moves.