Joo Ho-young: "North Korea Human Rights Act Becomes Dead Letter... Moon Administration Focused Only on Establishing the Corruption Investigation Office"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, urged the implementation of the law on the occasion of the "4th anniversary of the North Korean Human Rights Act," stating that "the protection and promotion of the human rights of North Korean residents is the responsibility of the state."

On the 4th, Joo said on Facebook, "The North Korean Human Rights Act, passed by the National Assembly on September 4, 2016, has not progressed even a step forward in four years and remains stalled as it is." The successor to the Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights, who stepped down in September 2017 upon the expiration of his term, remains vacant, and the board of directors of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation under the Act has not been formed.

Joo criticized, "Some members of the Democratic Party and the Justice Party take a critical stance on this law, calling it interference in North Korea's internal affairs," adding, "The issue of what efforts our government will make to protect and promote the human rights of North Korean residents can never be considered interference in North Korea's internal affairs."

He said, "During the dark days before democratization, when Amnesty International and others recommended human rights improvements to the Korean government, was that also interference in Korea's internal affairs? I cannot help but ask," and criticized, "The Moon administration is eager to control the judiciary, the last bastion of human rights, and to establish the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, but when it comes to implementing the North Korean Human Rights Act, it is dragging its feet and acting like a no-show."

Joo pointed out, "After four years, the North Korean Human Rights Act has become a dead letter, and after three years, the Special Inspector has become ineffective," adding, "Meanwhile, the only things the administration is still holding onto are the control of the prosecution and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office."

He emphasized, "On the 4th anniversary of the North Korean Human Rights Act, please answer how this law will be implemented and how the Special Inspector position, which has been vacant for over three years, will be filled, Mr. President."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.