US Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights: "North Korea's Human Rights Situation is Among the Worst in the World"

"South Korea or the US is Open to Protecting Defectors"
Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, Expresses Concern Over 'Deportation Incident'

Julie Turner, the newly appointed U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, described the human rights situation in North Korea as "the worst" and expressed her commitment to cooperating with the Ministry of Unification to hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Special Envoy Turner met with Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, at the Government Seoul Complex as part of her visit to South Korea and conveyed this position. She criticized the overall human rights conditions in North Korea as "the worst in the world." She added, "Based on the strong alliance between South Korea and the United States, and the commitment made by the leaders of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in the Camp David agreement to guarantee universal freedom and human rights, we will be able to cooperate effectively."

Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, is shaking hands with Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, on the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Kim stated, "The leaders of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation to promote North Korean human rights, and for the first time, expressed support for a 'free and peaceful reunified Korean Peninsula.' Based on the Camp David declaration, South Korea and the U.S. must further cooperate to improve North Korean human rights."

He particularly mentioned the recent mass forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from the three northeastern provinces of China, saying, "We expect the U.S. government and the international community to greatly help in fundamentally resolving this issue, and especially look forward to Special Envoy Turner's special attention and cooperation." He also emphasized that the South Korean government has consistently stressed that forced repatriation against the free will of defectors should not occur, and at the same time, has declared the principle of accepting all defectors who wish to come to South Korea.

Special Envoy Turner responded, "Like South Korea, we are concerned about the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors," and added, "The United States urges all governments to uphold the principle of non-refoulement." She further stated, "Whether in South Korea or the United States, if North Korean defectors wish, we are open to accepting them," pledging to support efforts to protect North Korean defectors.