Civic groups advocating for North Korea’s human rights have recently sent an open letter to President Yoon Suk Yeol, urging him to address the issue during his upcoming summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The summit is scheduled to take place on August 18 at Camp David, located on the outskirts of Washington.
In their letter, the advocacy groups called for the leaders to prioritize discussions on the plight of South Korean prisoners from the 1950-53 Korean War, the abduction of Japanese nationals, and the detention of individuals in North Korea. They emphasized the importance of including these issues in a joint summit statement to raise awareness and find solutions.
The civic groups also urged President Yoon to take the lead in diplomatic efforts to resolve these human rights issues. Their primary concerns include securing the immediate return of detainees and abductees, as well as promoting accountability for the North Korean regime. Additionally, they highlighted the need for the repatriation of the remains of deceased individuals held in the North.
Notably, since 2013, six South Koreans, including three pastors, have been detained in North Korea on charges of committing activities deemed anti-North Korean. Out of these detainees, three pastors—Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kuk-gi, and Choe Chun-gil—have been sentenced to hard labor for life on espionage charges related to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
The civic groups hope that President Yoon will prioritize these important discussions during the summit and take concrete steps to address the human rights situation in North Korea. Their chosen platform for raising awareness stems from the belief that international collaboration and attention are crucial in resolving these longstanding issues.
Overall, the civic groups are calling for a concerted effort to shed light on the human rights violations in North Korea and seek justice for those affected. By highlighting these concerns and requesting the inclusion of these topics in the joint summit statement, they aim to bring attention to the pressing need for action.
