The North Korean human rights issue is directly linked to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the world

Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner (February 21)

On February 21, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho met with U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner to discuss ways to cooperate to improve North Korean human rights.

Minister Kim assessed the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea, commemorating its 10th anniversary this year, as a milestone in exposing the human rights situation in North Korea and attributing accountability violations. He further stated that the ministry will bolster cooperation with the international community to implement the recommendations outlined in the COI report.

In particular, Minister Kim emphasized the need for efforts to fulfill the spirit of the Camp David summit held in August last year, where the ROK, the U.S., and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for the resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war.

Special Envoy Turner stated, “The severity of human rights violations occurring in North Korea is unparalleled in any other modern society,” and stressed that the international community and civil society must come together to bring about changes in the North.

Moreover, Turner expressed her willingness to closely cooperate with the South Korean government in improving human rights in North Korea and fostering international cooperation.