Controversy Over Pressure on North Korean Defector Groups... Ministry of Unification and UN North Korea Human Rights Rapporteur Hold Virtual Meeting

Government Conducts Office Inspection Following North Korean Leaflet Incident
Defector Groups Protest "Violation of Freedom of Expression... Blacklist"
UN Requests Meeting "To Hear Detailed Information on the Controversy"

Thomas Ojea Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights

Amid ongoing government pressure measures related to the distribution of leaflets to North Korea by defectors' organizations, the Ministry of Unification and the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights will hold a video meeting on the 30th.

Earlier, the Ministry of Unification decided to conduct an on-site inspection of defector organizations in response to the controversy over leaflet distribution to North Korea, and the UN side has expressed concerns about these measures.

A Ministry of Unification official stated on the 29th, "Tomorrow at 10 a.m., a video meeting will be held at the government Seoul office video conference room between Special Rapporteur Thomas Ojea Quintana and the Ministry of Unification officials in charge."

At the Ministry of Unification, Director General Lee Jong-joo of the Humanitarian Cooperation Bureau and others are expected to attend the meeting.

Previously, Special Rapporteur Quintana said in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) and others, "I will contact the South Korean government to hear detailed information about the ongoing inspection related to North Korean human rights organizations," and announced plans to request a detailed explanation of the on-site inspection from the government.

The Ministry of Unification plans to fully express its position during the video meeting regarding the purpose of the on-site inspection of registered corporations and the criticism from some parts of the international community about regulations on organizations distributing leaflets to North Korea.

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, explained at the regular briefing on the same day, "This video meeting is an opportunity to discuss recent overall matters related to North Korean human rights, including the on-site inspection," adding, "We will explain the government's position and the parts requested by the Special Rapporteur, and there will be bilateral discussions related to North Korean human rights."

So far, the government has emphasized the legitimacy of its actions regarding the cancellation of corporate establishment permits for the Free North Korea Movement Alliance and Keunsam, stating that freedom of expression and the right of North Korean residents to know are important values, but these must be exercised within the scope that does not infringe on the rights and interests of others.

Additionally, the government’s existing explanation is that the leaflet and goods distribution activities by the Free North Korea Movement Alliance and Keunsam have threatened the lives and safety of residents in border areas, constituting "cases that harm the public interest," and based on this, the government will conduct on-site inspections of 25 registered corporations in the fields of North Korean human rights and settlement support.

The government also plans to conduct registration requirement checks on 64 relevant non-profit private organizations.