Geneva: A South Korean vice foreign minister highlighted that the increasing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea is further worsening North Korea's human rights situation, according to the ministry's statement on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun made these remarks during the high-level segment of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. This comes amid the strengthening military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, particularly with North Korea's troop involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine.
Kang expressed ongoing concern over North Korea's severe human rights conditions, pointing out that the issue is becoming more intertwined with international peace and security due to its illegal military cooperation with Russia. The ministry highlighted these concerns.
Kang also raised issues about the treatment of North Korean defectors who face forced repatriation and urged countries to adhere to the international principle of non-refoulement, which prevents refugees from being returned to countries where they might face persecution. Furthermore, she called on North Korea to release South Korean detainees and address the concerns of abductees and South Korean prisoners of war.
While visiting Geneva, Kang met with influential U.N. officials, such as Filippo Grandi, the commissioner of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Nada al-Nashif, the U.N. deputy high commissioner for human rights. With Grandi, they evaluated the UNHCR's active role in managing the global refugee crisis and discussed how South Korea could increase its contributions to this issue.
In her discussion with al-Nashif, Kang talked about efforts to boost cooperation between Seoul and the U.N. human rights office. They also discussed strategies to improve human rights conditions in North Korea and South Korea's plans as a member of the UNHRC for the 2025-27 period, as stated by the ministry.