Lee Sinhwa, North Korean Human Rights Ambassador, "Forced Repatriation Violates Both International and Domestic Laws" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Lee Sinhwa, North Korean Human Rights International Cooperation Ambassador, stated on the 28th regarding the repatriation of North Korean fishermen, “Forcibly repatriating them without due process violates both international and domestic laws.”

On the same day, after receiving a letter of appointment bearing President Yoon Seok-yeol’s name from Foreign Minister Park Jin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Lee told reporters, “Perhaps one photo can represent a hundred or a thousand words,” expressing his view.

He emphasized, “Some say it’s a ‘new North Korea scare campaign,’ but the issue must be viewed from the perspective of the international principle of non-refoulement and the implementation of the North Korean Human Rights Act.”

He continued, “The government should not arbitrarily judge the defection or asylum intentions of North Korean defectors,” adding, “I regret that the judiciary should have handled this. To avoid arbitrary judgments depending on the administration, it would be good to codify this now.”

Regarding some calling the repatriated fishermen “heinous criminals,” Lee said, “I personally do not have the capacity to comment,” but added, “If they clearly expressed their intention to defect, they are considered our citizens. Repatriating our citizens to an enemy country itself is a violation of the law.”

He also mentioned, “We must question whether due process such as the right to legal counsel and the presumption of innocence was guaranteed during detention and interrogation,” and noted that the previous government, which actively supported the abolition of the death penalty, faced criticism for arbitrary executions in North Korea, so repatriating them without due process is problematic.

Regarding his appointment amid controversies over incidents such as the fishermen’s repatriation and the killing of a West Sea government official during the previous administration, he said, “I had said since the president-elect period that I would appoint a North Korean human rights ambassador immediately, so the appointment was overdue.”

He added, “Raising human rights issues is a sensitive matter for the North Korean regime but a vital survival issue for its people,” emphasizing, “I believe it is a call to the North Korean regime for human security, not regime security.”

Lee will serve for one year cooperating with foreign governments, international organizations, and civic groups on North Korean human rights and humanitarian situations.

He also said that he spoke with Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, in the afternoon and plans to request the early appointment of a U.S. State Department Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights, a position vacant for over five years since former envoy Robert King.

He added, “I understand that Elizabeth Salmon, the new UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, whose term begins on the 1st of next month, will visit Korea next month,” and said, “I want to find ways to collaborate, and if the U.S. envoy is appointed, I would like to work on trilateral cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and the UN.”

Earlier that morning, Lee received his letter of appointment bearing President Yoon Seok-yeol’s name from Foreign Minister Park Jin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

After the appointment ceremony, Minister Park said, “The position of North Korean Human Rights Ambassador has been vacant for the past five years, but I am pleased that the new government has appointed a good person within two months of its launch,” adding, “North Korean human rights issues are not someone else’s problem but ours.”

He further urged, “I ask you to faithfully fulfill your role as the North Korean Human Rights Ambassador.”

In response, Lee said, “I feel a great weight and responsibility,” and added, “Since North Korean human rights issues are connected to the identity of the Republic of Korea, which pursues universal human values, I want to do whatever I can.”

Lee stated, “While the human rights of North Korean residents are important, I believe North Korean human rights encompass military prisoners of war, abductees, and defectors who have served the country,” and expressed regret, “It seems that human rights have often been sidelined depending on the nature of the regime or the emphasis in inter-Korean relations.”

He shared his thoughts, saying, “If there is any part where I can contribute or improve even a little, I will seek it out and try to work inclusively with various ministries and civil society organizations.”

Earlier this month, President Yoon appointed Lee, a professor at Korea University, as the North Korean Human Rights International Cooperation Ambassador.

Lee will serve for one year cooperating with foreign governments, international organizations, and civic groups on North Korean human rights and humanitarian situations. After the letter of appointment ceremony, Minister Park and Lee exchanged opinions on ways to improve North Korean human rights.

The North Korean Human Rights Act, enacted in 2016, stipulates that the government may appoint a North Korean Human Rights Ambassador to promote international cooperation on North Korean human rights.

Accordingly, in September 2016, Lee Jung-hoon, a professor at the Graduate School of International Studies, was appointed as the first North Korean Human Rights Ambassador and served for one year, but the position has been vacant since then.

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