Professor Lee Sinhwa of Korea University Appointed as Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights Cooperation

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The government resolved the agenda to appoint Professor Lee Shin-hwa of Korea University's Department of Political Science as the Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights at the Cabinet meeting on the 19th.

The position of Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights had been vacant for about five years during the Moon Jae-in administration. The North Korean Human Rights Act, enacted in September 2016, stipulates that the government may appoint an ambassador for North Korean human rights, but the Moon administration did not appoint a successor after the first ambassador, Lee Jung-hoon, who served for one year until September 2017.

Ambassador Lee has authored numerous books and research papers related to North Korea and international cooperation. He has also served as Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN Independent Inquiry Commission on Rwanda, Advisor to the UN Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund, and President of the Korean Association for UN Studies.

Going forward, he will play a role in cooperating with foreign governments, international organizations, and civic groups regarding North Korean human rights and humanitarian situations.

Meanwhile, Robert King, former US Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, welcomed the South Korean government's appointment of the Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights on the 19th (local time).

In an interview with Voice of America (VOA) on the same day, former Special Envoy King said, "A few weeks ago, Foreign Minister Park Jin's visit to the US and his remarks that the South Korean government is committed to North Korean human rights issues were very encouraging," adding, "This appointment of the North Korean human rights ambassador is an important step forward."

He suggested that Ambassador Lee should "focus on cooperating with the UN and the international community, continuously conveying information about North Korea, and addressing humanitarian issues of defectors settling in South Korea."

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