South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun warned that military ties between Russia and North Korea are worsening the human rights crisis in North Korea during a U.N. meeting. She highlighted the inhumane treatment of defectors and called for adherence to international refugee protection principles, while also urging North Korea to release detainees and work with global bodies for improvement.
In a statement on Wednesday, South Korea’s Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun highlighted the worsening human rights conditions in North Korea, linked to the increasing military collaboration with Russia. This announcement came during the high-level discussions at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, amid North Korea’s troop involvement supporting Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
Kang voiced her serious concerns regarding North Korea’s human rights violations, stating that these issues are now critical for international peace and security, particularly due to the regime’s illicit military dealings with Russia. She condemned the inhumane treatment of North Korean defectors who have been forcibly returned to the regime, pushing for adherence to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending refugees back to countries where they could face severe persecution.
The Vice Foreign Minister also urged North Korea to immediately free all detained Koreans and resolve matters related to abductees and Korean prisoners of war. During her Geneva visit, Kang engaged with senior U.N. officials, including the High Commissioner for Refugees, discussing global refugee crises and Seoul’s potential contributions to assist in these matters.
In meetings with the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kang focused on enhancing cooperation between South Korea and the U.N. to improve human rights conditions in the North, alongside South Korea’s strategies as a member of the UNHRC for the upcoming term from 2025 to 2027.
The growing military ties between Russia and North Korea are intensifying the already grave human rights issues in North Korea, according to South Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister. Kang In-sun’s calls for international adherence to refugee protections and the urgency for North Korea to address its human rights violations underscore the seriousness of the situation. Discussions with U.N. officials aim to foster cooperation aimed at improving these conditions.
Original Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
