Tae Young-ho "Claiming to be human rights activists... Lawmakers who abstained from blocking forced repatriation"

Following the passage of the 'Resolution Urging China to Stop the Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors' in the National Assembly plenary session the day before, Tae Young-ho, a People Power Party lawmaker and former North Korean diplomat, criticized the seven lawmakers who abstained from voting on the resolution.

On the 1st, Tae posted on his social media, "The issue of stopping forced repatriation was passed unanimously without a vote at the United Nations, but the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea put it to a vote, and seven lawmakers abstained," pointing out the situation.

Tae Young-ho, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 10th, announcing his intention to voluntarily resign from his position as a Supreme Council member. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The day before, the National Assembly passed the 'Resolution Urging China to Stop the Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors' with 253 out of 260 members present voting in favor. Independent lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, Jinbo Party lawmaker Kang Sung-hee, Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi, and Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Jung-ho, Min Hyung-bae, Baek Hye-ryun, and Shin Jung-hoon abstained.

Tae said, "Looking at the profiles of the lawmakers who abstained yesterday, they were human rights activists, members of organizations that claim to work for the rights of the vulnerable, and lawmakers from parties that advocate for the interests of the disadvantaged. I want to ask why, whenever the issue of North Korean human rights arises, they first consider the feelings of China and the Kim Jong-un regime in North Korea." He added, "I sincerely ask that from now on, please consider the feelings of the people of both South and North Korea, not the dictator."

He also said, "In a few days, the United Nations General Assembly will pass a resolution urging the cessation of forced repatriation by unanimous consent without a vote. Although it is belated, it is fortunate that our National Assembly's resolution was passed one step ahead."