"Are They Still Alive?"... Letter from Family of North Korean Detainee

Missionary Kim Jung-wook's Elder Brother Kim Jung-sam
Meeting with UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights
Salmon Pledges "Best Efforts" to Confirm Detainees' Status

"I am truly very curious whether he can eat, how his health is, and if he has any illnesses, whether he is receiving hospital treatment."

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Families of abductees detained in North Korea met with Elizabeth Salmon, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, who is currently visiting South Korea, to appeal for UN-level efforts for their repatriation.

According to security authorities on the 2nd, Kim Jeong-sam, the elder brother of missionary Kim Jeong-uk, and a proxy for the wife of missionary Kim Guk-gi, had a 30-minute meeting with Special Rapporteur Salmon at the Seoul Global Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that morning. Missionary Kim Jeong-uk was detained in North Korea in 2013, and missionary Kim Guk-gi in 2014. At the meeting, Kim Jeong-sam handed over a letter he had personally written to Special Rapporteur Salmon and earnestly appealed for the UN’s cooperation.

An excerpt from a letter conveyed by Kim Jeong-sam, the elder brother of missionary Kim Jeong-uk who is detained after being abducted to North Korea, to Elizabeth Salm?n, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea

According to the letter obtained by Asia Economy, Kim wrote, "This year marks the 10th year since my younger brother, missionary Kim Jeong-uk, was detained in North Korea," adding, "I still do not know the reality of his life or death. As a brother connected by love and blood, I convey my heartbreaking feelings."

He continued, "If he is alive, I wonder how he is enduring this bitter winter cold. I have heard news that the North Korean economy is suffering hardships similar to the past Arduous March period due to COVID-19," and inquired about his brother’s well-being. Kim also emphasized, "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice agreement, and I hope and wish for his release and repatriation."

Special Rapporteur Salmon reportedly responded with the intention, "I do not know if results will appear immediately, but I will do my best to work on this."

Kim’s younger brother, missionary Kim Jeong-uk, was arrested in October 2013 in North Korea on charges of espionage while conducting missionary activities near the North Korea-China border. In February 2014, Kim held a press conference in Pyongyang, stating that he was detained in North Korea on charges of anti-state crimes and apologized for his actions. At that time, he had entered North Korea via China and was reportedly caught while heading to Pyongyang carrying religious materials, including the Bible and doctrinal educational videos. North Korean authorities are understood to have sentenced him to life labor reform for charges including plotting to overthrow the state, but his current status or whereabouts remain unknown.

His elder brother said, "It has now been about 10 years since my brother was detained, so I hope North Korea will accept changes with a new mindset when some international opportunity regarding human rights arises." Kim’s younger brother, who is four years younger, is said to have turned 60 this year.

Mr. Kim Jeong-sam met with Elizabeth Salm?n, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, on the 2nd to urge efforts for the repatriation of abductees at the UN level.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Unification has stated that if inter-Korean dialogue resumes, confirming the life status, reunion, and repatriation of detainees will be the top priority for negotiations, but currently, it is difficult to expect a positive response from North Korea.

Previously, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se met with families of North Korean detainees last October, the first time a Minister of Unification has done so, and promised efforts for their release. At that time, Minister Kwon said, "We will mobilize all means available to the government," and "We must protect our citizens and do our best to bring them to where they want to be."

Meanwhile, Lee Han-byeol, director of the North Korean Human Rights Promotion Center and a defector from North Korea, separately delivered a letter to Special Rapporteur Salmon on the same day, requesting confirmation of the life status of missionary Kim Guk-gi.

On the 7th, a meeting is scheduled between Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Special Representative for North Korea Policy Jung Park (Korean name Park Jeong-hyun) of the U.S. Department of State and North Korea-related organizations. Attendees will include Kim Jeong-sam, Lee Mi-il, chairperson of the Korean War Abductees’ Families Association, and Hwang In-cheol, representative of the 1969 KAL plane abduction victims’ families association.