WASHINGTON: South Korea, the United States, and Japan have underscored their collective resolve to address human rights issues in North Korea, asserting that improving these conditions is essential for achieving durable peace on the Korean Peninsula. This commitment was expressed during their first trilateral meeting on North Korean human rights in Washington, amid growing concerns about the oppressive political climate in the North that allows Pyongyang to advance its weapons programs without public dissent.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the joint statement issued by the three nations labeled North Korea as one of the worst human rights violators globally, citing consistent reports of severe abuses such as summary executions, abductions, torture, and unjust detentions. The statement urged the international community to transition from merely monitoring these violations to taking concrete actions to hold perpetrators accountable.
The countries pledged to enhance their joint efforts to facilitate access t
o independent information in North Korea, support accountability for human rights abuses, and amplify the voices of North Korean escapees and refugees. They also emphasized their dedication to resolving the issues of abductees, detainees, and separated families, while tackling the widespread forced labor linked to North Korea.
The United States and Japan expressed their support for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s vision of a free and peaceful Korean Peninsula and reiterated their backing for a unified Korea. The meeting, which included high-level officials such as South Korea’s Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, also referenced the “Spirit of Camp David,” highlighting the countries’ alignment in addressing North Korea’s human rights challenges.
Minister Kim warned against ignoring these issues, stating that neglect would embolden perpetrators and worsen the human rights situation. Campbell emphasized that close coordination among the three countries is
essential to address both strategic and human rights challenges posed by North Korea.
Japanese Ambassador Shigeo Yamada condemned North Korea’s ongoing human rights violations and criticized its investment in weapons development at the expense of its people’s welfare. Following the trilateral meeting, discussions continued with North Korean defectors, human rights experts, and government officials to further explore these critical issues.