North Korea and Comfort Women Human Rights Together... Responding to the 'Human Rights-Focused' Biden Administration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Our government has delivered a powerful message to the international community regarding the issue of Japanese military comfort women and North Korean human rights. Choi Jong-moon, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who gave the keynote speech at the UN Human Rights Council, called for attention by stating that "comfort women are a universal human rights issue for the international community," while also emphasizing the need to improve the human rights of North Korean residents. This is understood to be in line with the human rights-focused policy of the Biden administration in the United States.

On the 24th (local time), Vice Minister Choi delivered a keynote speech at the 46th UN Human Rights Council High-Level Segment held via video conference, stating, "The issue of Japanese military comfort women is a universal human rights issue that requires prevention of recurrence," and added, "Addressing sexual violence in conflict is one of the urgent matters, and we must remember the victims and survivors." He further emphasized, "Current and future generations must learn valuable lessons from the painful experiences of the victims of Japanese military comfort women," and "Our government will continue efforts to restore the dignity and honor of comfort women victims through a survivor-centered approach."

Regarding North Korean human rights, he also advocated for international cooperation. Vice Minister Choi said, "Our government has deep interest and concern about the human rights situation in North Korea and is working with the international community to substantially improve the human rights of North Korean residents," and added, "We also express concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in North Korea and believe that attention to this issue must continue."

In diplomatic circles, Vice Minister Choi's speech is analyzed as part of a strategy to gain response and support from the Biden administration, which places high importance on human rights issues, and to secure close consultations between the two countries on the Korea-US alliance and Korean Peninsula policy. Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong did not attend the Human Rights Council meeting, which is usually attended by the minister, and Vice Minister Choi attended instead to deliver this message. This is interpreted as a form of tone adjustment considering the positions of North Korea and Japan. Shin Beom-chul, head of the Foreign and Security Center at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, analyzed, "Vice Minister Choi attending instead of Minister Chung and simultaneously mentioning concerns about North Korean human rights aligns with the Biden administration's policy while also considering North Korea's position, which is sensitive to human rights issues."

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