The wall that blocks the freedom of North Koreans and detainees will certainly crumble in the days to come

Minister Kim Yung Ho delivers letter to German citizens participating in a protest (November 2)

On September 8, the Ministry of Unification established a task force under Minister Kim’s leadership dedicated to resolving the issues of abductees, detainees, and prisoners of war in North Korea. On October 8, the ministry expressed its commitment to make every endeavor to resolve the issues by issuing a statement urging the repatriation of South Korean citizens detained in the North.

Meanwhile, a group of about 10 Berliners, consisting of Christian believers, has been staging weekly protests since September 2009 in front of the North Korean Embassy in Berlin, calling for the release of the detained missionaries in North Korea, Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kuk-gi, and Choe Chun-gil.

On November 2, ahead of the 34th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho sent a letter to the German citizens participating in the protests.

“Your weekly efforts that have persisted for more than 10 years for totally unacquainted North Koreans and detainees are a great inspiration to us all,” Minister Kim wrote. “I believe that, just like the fall of the Berlin Wall, your wishes and prayers will certainly crumble the wall that blocks the freedom of North Koreans and detainees one day,” he added.

The South Korean government will continue to work with the private sector and call domestic and international attention to the substantive resolution of the issues of detainees, abductees, and POWs, while closely cooperating with the international community as well.

We ask for your continued interest and support so that those detained in North Korea can come back to the loving embrace of their families as soon as possible.