Human Rights Commission Begins Investigation Procedure on Complaint Regarding Forced Repatriation of North Korean Defectors

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[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Human Rights Commission of Korea began the investigation process just one day after receiving a petition demanding the fact-finding and appropriate measures regarding the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen.

On the 20th, Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city council member from the People Power Party, announced that the forced repatriation case was assigned to a human rights investigator on the 19th. Councilman Lee stated, "The forced repatriation case is a historic incident that requires a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and a proper decision from a human rights perspective, separate from criminal punishment of the perpetrators who committed illegal acts," adding, "Even if they are considered heinous criminals, since they expressed their intention to defect, due process according to the Constitution and laws should have been followed so that they could be investigated and tried as citizens."

Councilman Lee also said, "The Human Rights Commission Act stipulates that 'cases under investigation shall be dismissed,' but there is a proviso that this does not apply to cases corresponding to certain provisions of the Criminal Act," urging, "The Human Rights Commission should not dismiss the case but investigate it thoroughly and make a clear decision." Previously, in December 2020, the Human Rights Commission dismissed a petition filed by the conservative lawyer group 'Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea' related to the same case, citing limitations in fact-finding.

Earlier, on the 18th, Councilman Lee submitted a petition to the Human Rights Commission requesting an investigation into the facts of the forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen and appropriate measures. At that time, he argued, "If the Moon Jae-in administration sacrificed a young man in his prime 20s to Kim Jong-un for political reasons, it can only be seen as a cruel and heinous act," emphasizing, "Since this is a serious case condemned by the international community as anti-human rights, a thorough investigation by the Human Rights Commission is necessary, separate from the prosecution's investigation."

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