Participation from Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and National Security Office
Kim Ki-woong "Expecting Substantial Human Rights Improvement for North Korean Residents"
Kim Ki-woong, Deputy Minister of Unification, is speaking while presiding over the 2nd North Korean Human Rights Policy Council of 2022 at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 9th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Various government ministries gathered to establish the first Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
On the morning of the 9th, the government held the 2nd meeting of the North Korean Human Rights Policy Council, a consultative body involving relevant ministries on North Korean human rights, chaired by Kim Ki-woong, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Unification, at the Government Seoul Office. The meeting was attended by director-level officials from related agencies including the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the National Security Office.
In his opening remarks, Vice Minister Kim stated, "The 3rd Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights to be discussed today is actually the first three-year mid- to long-term plan related to North Korean human rights established since the current government took office," adding, "It signifies establishing the government's policy direction on North Korean human rights and the major tasks to be undertaken going forward."
He continued, "The Basic Plan must be formulated by comprehensively considering and reflecting the universality of human rights, our government's philosophy and principles, and the human rights and humanitarian situation of North Korean residents," and said, "Through the establishment of the Basic Plan, we expect that policies aimed at improving the quality of life and the actual promotion of human rights for North Korean residents can be systematically implemented."
Kim Ki-woong, Vice Minister of Unification, is speaking while presiding over the 2nd North Korean Human Rights Policy Council of 2022 at the Government Seoul Office on the 9th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The council held its first meeting in October 2016 but was not convened for over two years after its last meeting in May 2020. It was reactivated from August this year following the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and this was the 2nd meeting. The first meeting reviewed the new government's North Korean human rights policy.
The council is formed under the North Korean Human Rights Act to facilitate inter-ministerial cooperation, chaired by the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Unification, with director-level officials from related ministries and agencies participating. Its main functions are to address North Korean human rights issues and establish related plans, but it is evaluated that these functions became largely ineffective during the Moon Jae-in administration.
For example, the 2nd Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights, which applies from 2020 to this year, included wording to "consider North Korea's position and acceptability," which drew criticism that the government was hesitant to improve human rights out of concern for North Korea's sensitivities. This expression was not present during the Park Geun-hye administration, which established the 1st plan.
Additionally, since the enactment and implementation of the North Korean Human Rights Act in 2016, the North Korean Human Rights Foundation has not been launched due to over six years of delays in recommending board candidates caused by partisan conflicts, which is also cited as an obstacle.
Vice Minister Kim also mentioned these issues. He said, "It is regrettable that the North Korean Human Rights Foundation has not yet been launched and that the advisory committee for the Basic Plan has not yet been formed." The plan will first be established within the government, and once the advisory committee is formed, advice will be sought before reporting to the National Assembly.
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