Salmon's Actions as North Korea Human Rights Rapporteur Escalate Inter-Korean Confrontation Levels

UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights Issues Strong Criticism of North Korea's Human Rights
North Korea Merely a Politicized Hostile Tool

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Following the visit of Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, South Korea and North Korea have escalated their mutual criticisms.

Salmon has made strong remarks against North Korea day after day, and as the South Korean government appeared to support her stance, North Korea has strongly retaliated.

On the 2nd, Salmon raised her critical voice again regarding North Korean human rights. At a press conference held at the President Hotel in Seoul on the 2nd, when asked whether it was appropriate for the Moon Jae-in administration not to accept the defection of North Korean fishermen, Salmon stated, “It is very concerning that any defector is subject to forced repatriation.”

Salmon said, “Whoever made such a decision is certainly a cause for concern,” and added, “I will continue to monitor this issue and want to emphasize to the South Korean government that the principle of non-refoulement must be respected.”

She further emphasized, “The prohibition of forced repatriation is a well-established principle in international human rights law and various international treaties. There are many legal arguments supporting this. The UN has also established that forcibly repatriated individuals face a high risk of torture.”

Regarding the “Law Prohibiting Leaflets Sent to North Korea,” Salmon showed a cautious attitude, saying, “There may be room for reconsideration.” She explained, “The right to express opinions peacefully is a right protected under international human rights law, but like other rights, it can be restricted. Generally, restrictions can be justified for reasons such as safety or security.”

Earlier that morning, Salmon met with Kwon Young-se, Minister of Unification, to discuss ways to improve North Korean human rights.

Minister Kwon met Salmon at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 2nd and said, “Peace on the Korean Peninsula and improvement of inter-Korean relations are necessary for the humane lives of all residents living on the peninsula,” adding, “The Yoon Seok-yeol administration will strive to improve the human rights of North Korean residents as much as it does for denuclearization and inter-Korean relations.”

In particular, Minister Kwon emphasized, “It is necessary to clearly hold accountable those who have worsened the human rights situation in North Korea,” and “Holding those who violate human rights accountable is ultimately necessary to improve the humanitarian situation of North Korean residents.”

Minister Kwon also criticized the previous Moon Jae-in administration’s policy stance on North Korean human rights issues.

He said, “I deeply regret that the previous administration was negligent in efforts related to North Korean human rights, as evidenced by not participating as a co-sponsor of the UN North Korean Human Rights Resolution for three consecutive years since 2019. They were not proactive at all,” and stated that improvements will be made going forward.

Salmon responded, “I believe we share the common goal of improving human rights in North Korea,” and “Human rights are necessary for sustainable peace.”

In response, North Korea strongly retaliated.

The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in the name of its spokesperson on the same day, condemning, “The UN Human Rights Council’s ‘Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,’ who recently revealed ignorance and biased views about our republic in their ‘inaugural statement,’ dared once again to make unacceptable remarks infringing upon our sacred system and national sovereignty while touring the puppet region.”

It continued, “Although this ‘Special Rapporteur’ colluded with the puppet traitorous faction and led anti-republic ‘human rights’ disturbances this time, we clearly know that behind this lies the deep involvement of the United States,” and asserted, “The ‘human rights’ activities of the United States and hostile forces have nothing to do with genuine human rights protection; they are the most politicized hostile means to tarnish the dignified image of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and to obliterate the true rights and interests of the Korean people.”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Salmon, an international law scholar from Peru who succeeded former rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana, began her term on the 1st of last month. She visited South Korea on the 27th, carrying out a schedule that included meetings with North Korean human rights organizations and visits and consultations with related ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, and the National Human Rights Commission.