Jin Park "Deep Concern Over North Korean Human Rights"... First Visit to Korea, Meeting with Elizabeth Salmon, Special Rapporteur

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated, "We are deeply concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea." Minister Park met with Elizabeth Salmon, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in North Korea, who visited Korea for the first time since her appointment, to discuss ways to improve North Korean human rights.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 31st, during the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Sejong-ro, Seoul, Minister Park told Rapporteur Salmon, "Based on your expertise and experience accumulated in the fields of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, we expect you to contribute to the protection and promotion of North Korean human rights." Also present at the meeting was Lee Shin-hwa, the newly appointed International Cooperation Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights of the Korean government, who took office in July.

He said, "Our government is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea," and emphasized, "We are committed to actively cooperating with the UN and the international community to protect and promote North Korean human rights, and we will spare no support for Rapporteur Salmon's activities."

Minister Park also stated that appointing the International Cooperation Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights, a position that had been vacant for five years, "demonstrates our government's determination to take a leading role in improving North Korean human rights," and added, "We look forward to close cooperation between Ambassador Lee and Rapporteur Salmon regarding North Korean human rights issues in the future."

Rapporteur Salmon responded, "I really like Korea," and expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you once again for the support you have given me regarding the UN, especially the position of Special Rapporteur on North Korean human rights." She further stated, "I am confident that, with your support, we will build synergy and cooperate together to improve the human rights situation in North Korea."

Typically, when the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean human rights visits Korea, they meet with the Second Vice Minister in charge of multilateral diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and have discussions with director-level officials. It is reported that Minister Park personally meeting Rapporteur Salmon this time was due to it being her first visit to Korea and considering the importance the new government places on North Korean human rights.

Rapporteur Salmon, who arrived in Korea on the 27th, has been carrying out various schedules starting with meetings with North Korean human rights organizations on the 29th. Originally, she was scheduled to visit Panmunjom on this day, but the Ministry of Unification stated that the schedule was canceled at the request of the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul.

Rapporteur Salmon is scheduled to meet with Unification Minister Kwon Young-se on the 2nd of next month and hold a press conference regarding the results of her visit. A Peruvian international law scholar, Rapporteur Salmon was appointed last month by the UN Human Rights Council, succeeding former Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana, and officially began her term on the 1st of this month.

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