[Interview] Tae Young-ho "Forced Repatriation of North Korean Residents, Must Reveal the Truth to Prevent Recurrence"

People Power Party International Committee Chair
Participation in National Security Disorder Investigation TF
"Moon Administration's North Repatriation Handling Likely Abuse of Authority
Will Clearly Identify Interdepartmental Work Relations"
"Torture or Execution of Repatriated North Koreans Will Be Recorded as Our Government's First Human Rights Violation Against North Korean Residents"

Tae Young-ho, member of the People Power Party./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] "We will clearly inform how legally wrong the forced repatriation of North Korean residents was and ensure that such incidents do not recur."

On the 12th, Tae Yong-ho, chairman of the People Power Party's International Committee, said in an interview with Asia Economy that he decided to participate in the party's newly launched 'National Security Disorder Investigation Task Force (TF).' The People Power Party recently defined the forced repatriation of North Korean residents, which has caused political controversy, as an act of security disorder and formed the TF, which was launched on the same day.

Rep. Tae said, "Even when deporting foreigners, the deportation notice is given to the individual and they are given nine days to appeal, but in the previous government's repatriation of North Korean residents, the decision was made within three days and forced repatriation occurred within five days," adding, "The lesson is that abuse of administrative power leads to severe human rights violations." He also pointed out that abuse of authority occurred during the Moon Jae-in administration's repatriation process and emphasized, "We will clearly define the working relationships between the relevant ministries."

Regarding the current government's North Korea policy, he said, "Although the possibility of a South-North summit is not immediate, our government must continue knocking on the door and show a signal that the door to dialogue remains open," urging continuous commitment. Below is a Q&A with Rep. Tae.

Tae Young-ho, member of the People Power Party./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

-The party's ‘National Security Disorder TF’ has been launched. What areas will you focus on?

▲According to the National Security Office's announcement, then-Chief Jeong Eui-yong made the decision (on repatriation). Did former Chief Jeong really decide such a critical issue alone without reporting to the president? The National Security Office is an advisory body assisting the president and does not have decision-making authority. Former Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul said he reported to the president, but former Chief Jeong said he did not. The truth must be determined. If it is proven through a UN investigation that those who returned to North Korea were tortured or executed, it will be recorded as the first human rights violation committed by our government against North Korean residents.

-Documents have been released stating that the forcibly repatriated fishermen wrote handwritten letters expressing their intention to defect.

▲It is clear that there was an intention to defect. The Moon Jae-in administration doubted the sincerity of the North Korean fishermen, which is a great contradiction. Doubting their sincerity means they could return to North Korea, so why would the government have tied and blindfolded people whose intention to defect was unclear? Rather, they must have known these individuals would not return to North Korea even if it meant death, which is why force was used.

-What are your views on the establishment of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation and the adoption of the UN North Korea Human Rights Resolution?

▲It is absolutely necessary. Human rights must always be universal. If a conservative government participates as a co-sponsor of the North Korea Human Rights Resolution but a progressive government does not, it sends a very wrong message to North Korea. Whether progressive or conservative, the stance must be consistent. The North Korean Human Rights Foundation must also be launched. Korea must continuously highlight North Korea’s human rights issues and condemn their wrongful acts for North Korea to be reformed. North Korea also listens to external voices.

-In what direction should the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's North Korea policy proceed?

▲We must respond firmly to the North Korean nuclear issue while continuously providing humanitarian aid. Even if North Korea does not respond, we should not stop but keep sending messages regardless of whether they accept or not. Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se stated that he does not entirely reject the Moon Jae-in administration’s policies but will criticize where necessary and inherit where appropriate. He continues to emphasize a ‘baton-passing policy’ that respects and implements existing inter-Korean agreements such as the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration and the Pyongyang Declaration. I think this is a very good approach.

-How should cooperation with the opposition parties proceed?

▲Currently, the ruling and opposition parties are too confrontational in diplomacy and North Korea policy. There must be back-channel dialogue and compromise between the parties. I hope the Democratic Party recommends directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation and the ruling party supports ratification of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration in the National Assembly, so that diplomatic and North Korea policies can proceed through mutual exchange.

-There are concerns that relations between South Korea and Japan may worsen following former Prime Minister Abe’s death and the Liberal Democratic Party’s landslide victory in the House of Councillors election.

▲We need to monitor the situation in Japan, but since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration strongly recognizes the need to quickly improve South Korea-Japan relations, I believe things will improve rather than worsen. Especially, the Biden administration is strongly urging a swift recovery of the weakened South Korea-Japan relationship, and the Japanese government agrees with this, so Japan will likely refrain from actions that worsen relations.

Interview by Choi Il-kwon, Political Chief

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