Ministry of Unification Recommends Lee Jung-hoon, Yonsei University Professor, and Kim Beom-su, SaveNK CEO, as Directors of North Korean Human Rights Foundation

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se announced on the 13th that he recommended Professor Lee Jung-hoon of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies and Kim Beom-su, CEO of the nonprofit organization SaveNK, as directors of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation in accordance with Article 12 of the North Korean Human Rights Act.

Professor Lee Jung-hoon, Graduate School of International Studies, Yonsei University

Regarding the recommendation of Professor Lee Jung-hoon, the Ministry of Unification explained, "As an expert in Northeast Asian security and international politics, he has long been active in protecting the human rights of North Korean defectors. In 2013, he served as a Human Rights Ambassador for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in 2016, he acted as the inaugural International Cooperation Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights under the North Korean Human Rights Act, contributing to international cooperation for the promotion of North Korean human rights."

About CEO Kim Beom-su, it was stated, "Since 2002, he has been active in SaveNK, a North Korean human rights organization, dedicating himself to the protection of North Korean defectors and North Korean human rights and unification movements. He has contributed to building social consensus in our society for improving North Korean human rights and to solidarity and cooperation activities in the international community."

Kim Beom-su, CEO of Save NK

The North Korean Human Rights Act was enacted through bipartisan agreement and has been in effect since September 4, 2016; however, even after six years, the North Korean Human Rights Foundation based on the law has yet to be launched.

The Act stipulates that the Foundation shall have up to 12 directors, including one chairman, appointed through recommendations by the Minister of Unification and the National Assembly. Among them, two directors are to be recommended by the Minister of Unification, and the remaining ten directors are to be recommended by the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, five each.

The Ministry of Unification explained, "If the National Assembly proceeds with recommending the Foundation’s directors in the future, we will appoint the directors and immediately launch the North Korean Human Rights Foundation to faithfully carry out the Foundation’s functions as stipulated by law."