UN Human Rights Rapporteur: "Killing of North Korean Officials Cannot Be Justified by COVID-19 Crisis"

Thomas Ojea Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Thomas Ojea Quintana, the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, pointed out that the killing of a South Korean government official by North Korea cannot be justified on the grounds of COVID-19 prevention measures.

On the 30th (local time), Rapporteur Quintana told Radio Free Asia (RFA), "Even in a national crisis situation caused by COVID-19, the 'shoot on sight' policy cannot be justified," adding, "It violates international human rights law, and I reiterate that the North Korean government must halt this policy."

Rapporteur Quintana emphasized, "International human rights law requires all governments to implement appropriate measures even in emergencies," and stated that instead of immediately shooting the missing official, quarantining would have been the proper response by the North Korean military under the armistice agreement.

Rapporteur Quintana said that the governments of South and North Korea should share the details of the killing incident with the bereaved family. He added, "The current issue is to accurately ascertain the circumstances of this serious incident that took a person's life," and "Both governments, especially the South Korean government, need to provide information about what happened to this individual."