The 'North Korean Human Rights' Debate Frozen Since Moon Era... Now Trapped in Political Strife

Yoon Emphasizes North Korean Human Rights... Policy Implementation Blocked by Ruling and Opposition Conflict
Three Weeks Before Human Rights Plan Expires... Follow-up Discussion Now Begins
Ministry of Unification Points Out Procedural Issues... "We Will Do What We Can"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Since its inauguration, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has emphasized the issue of 'North Korean human rights,' highlighting its differences from previous administrations. However, without the cooperation of opposition parties, no substantial policies have been implemented. As improving the human rights violations of North Korean residents and pressuring the Kim Jong-un regime are essential tasks, there are calls for the government to more actively persuade the National Assembly.

Government Reactivates 'North Korean Human Rights' Discussions Halted During Moon Era

President Yoon Suk-yeol Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Ministry of Unification on the 10th, the government held a North Korean Human Rights Policy Council meeting yesterday at the Government Seoul Office Building, chaired by Kim Ki-woong, Vice Minister of Unification. Directors-level officials from related agencies including the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and the National Security Office attended, with the main agenda being discussions to prepare the 3rd Basic Plan to succeed the 2nd Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights, which expires this year.

The council had not been convened for over two years since May 2020. Established under the North Korean Human Rights Act, the council's main function is to address North Korean human rights issues and formulate related plans, but it effectively lost its function during the Moon Jae-in administration, which prioritized 'inter-Korean peace.' It was reactivated from August this year after the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, and this was the second meeting since then.

The 3rd plan has many tasks to improve. The previous 2nd plan included wording that 'considers North Korea's position and acceptability,' which drew criticism for lacking the will to improve human rights issues due to appeasing North Korea. The restart of North Korean human rights discussions, which were halted during the previous administration, and reflecting the changed policy direction of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, has attracted significant attention.

Before the meeting, Vice Minister Kim said, "The 3rd Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights is actually the first three-year mid- to long-term plan related to North Korean human rights established since the current government took office," adding, "It signifies establishing the government's policy direction on North Korean human rights and the major tasks to be undertaken going forward."

"Emphasis in Words Only"... 'North Korean Human Rights' Overshadowed by Ruling and Opposition Conflicts

North Korean Flag

The problem is that the 2nd plan, which has been in effect from 2020 to this year, is only three weeks away from expiration, and the North Korean Human Rights Promotion Advisory Committee, required by the North Korean Human Rights Act, has yet to be formed. The Basic Plan for the Promotion of North Korean Human Rights must be reported to the National Assembly after consultation with the advisory committee.

The government formed the first advisory committee in January 2017, but has not been able to form the next committee since the two-year term ended. The advisory committee should consist of up to 10 members, including one chairperson, but the National Assembly has not recommended candidates. Vice Minister Kim also mentioned this issue, saying, "It is regrettable that the advisory committee for the Basic Plan has not yet been formed."

Ultimately, to advance the North Korean human rights policies emphasized by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, securing cooperation from the National Assembly, mainly the Democratic Party, is a prerequisite. The issue of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation, which has not been launched for over six years, is in the same context. The foundation is to have up to 12 directors including the chairman, but the Democratic Party has not recommended candidates for the opposition party's share of directors.

Ministry of Unification on Procedural Issues: "We Will Do What We Can"

Kim Ki-woong, Vice Minister of Unification, is speaking while presiding over the 2nd North Korean Human Rights Policy Council of 2022 at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 9th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

While the government and political circles are at odds, some have even claimed that the Ministry of Unification is violating procedures. The Ministry recently sent requests for manuscript contributions regarding the 3rd plan to representatives of North Korean human rights organizations and academic experts. This was an attempt to gather opinions without forming the advisory committee, leading to criticism that legal procedures were not followed.

Lee Young-hwan, former head of the Transitional Justice Working Group, argued, "The Ministry of Unification's recent attempt to gather opinions from related figures without forming the advisory committee is an irregular method that does not comply with legal procedures." He added, "The first advisory committee's term ended in January 2019, but they have yet to form a new one and are trying to get advice in this way, which is a procedural flaw."

However, the Ministry of Unification stated, "It is not ignoring procedures but gathering opinions." Since forming the advisory committee is the National Assembly's responsibility, the Ministry intends to do what it can before that. The Ministry plans to continue preparations for the 3rd plan and, once the advisory committee is formally established, to consult accordingly and report to the National Assembly.

Kim Ki-woong, Vice Minister of Unification, said, "From our perspective, we are doing what we must by first establishing the Basic Plan within the government, and after the advisory committee is formed, we will receive advice and report to the National Assembly."

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