Kwon Young-se: "The Dire Reality of North Korean Human Rights Is as Important as Denuclearization"

Joint Forum Co-hosted by Rep. Tae Yong-ho's Office of the People Power Party
"Accurately Informing the Reality of North Korean Human Rights Domestically and Internationally"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Kwon Young-se, Minister of Unification, expressed the perception that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration regards North Korean human rights issues as equally important as denuclearization. The government plans to expand efforts starting with accurately informing the domestic and international communities about the reality of human rights in North Korea.

On the 10th, Minister Kwon delivered a welcoming speech at the 'North Korean Human Rights Forum' co-hosted with Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, stating, "It will be the first step to induce change in the North Korean authorities if people around the world take interest in North Korean human rights issues and continue to spread the truth."

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se is delivering a welcome speech at the 'North Korean Human Rights Forum' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 10th. [Photo by Ministry of Unification]

Minister Kwon emphasized that testimonies about the human rights situation in North Korea will be gathered through North Korean defectors, and the 'Annual Report on the Status of North Korean Human Rights' will be published to properly inform about the human rights conditions faced by North Korean residents. He also stressed that since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration recognizes North Korean human rights issues as important as denuclearization, it will continuously strive together with the international community for the substantial improvement of North Korean human rights.

He explained, "North Korean residents are in a tragic situation where they cannot even enjoy the most basic human rights," adding, "The involvement of our country and the international community is not simply to criticize or shame the North Korean authorities, but to find ways for the residents to enjoy basic human rights."

Furthermore, the government plans to actively promote efforts to improve the actual human rights of North Korean residents through humanitarian aid and cooperation. In addition, it explained that it will pursue essential support together with the international community to address severe food shortages, respond to infectious diseases, and provide infant vaccinations.

Meanwhile, according to the North Korean Human Rights Act enacted in 2016, the government must establish the North Korean Human Rights Foundation. However, the formation of the foundation has been delayed for seven years as the Democratic Party of Korea has postponed recommending director candidates for the opposition party's quota. Due to the delay in launching the foundation, the Ministry of Unification doubled the budget related to North Korean human rights to the 4 billion KRW level this year to support the activities of civil organizations.