The United Nations has deemed North Korea’s detention of South Korean missionaries as arbitrary, calling for their immediate release. The WGAD declared their imprisonment as a violation of international law due to discriminatory intent. In response, South Korea has condemned the actions and pledged to work with allies to resolve the issue swiftly.
The United Nations has condemned North Korea’s ongoing detention of South Korean missionaries as “arbitrary” and has called for their immediate release. The U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), which operates under the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, issued an opinion declaring that the imprisonment of missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie, and Choi Chun-gil violates international law.
According to the WGAD report, “The detention of Mr. Jung-wook Kim, Mr. Kook-ki Kim and Mr. Chun-gil Choi is arbitrary as they have been deprived of their liberty for reasons of discriminatory intent against them, because they were foreign nationals and because of their religious and humanitarian work as Christian missionaries.” The group emphasized the need for their immediate release and entitlements to compensation as per international law.
This determination follows a petition submitted last July by the families of the missionaries, which questioned the legitimacy of their prolonged custody. North Korea contended to the WGAD in August that the petition was “politically motivated” and maintained its actions complied with international law, a claim that was dismissed by the U.N. panel.
Following the U.N. ruling, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification voiced strong condemnation of North Korea’s imprisonment practices, labeling them as a “blatant violation of international law.” Deputy spokesperson Kim In-ae remarked, “The international community has officially confirmed that North Korea’s detention of these individuals is illegal,” urging for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained citizens.
The South Korean government has committed to cooperating with international allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, to expedite a resolution to this situation. Kim Jung-wook was detained on October 8, 2013, while conducting humanitarian efforts for North Korean defectors. He received a life sentence in May 2014 for charges that included conspiracy against the state.
In parallel, fellow missionaries Kim Kuk-gi and Choi Chun-gil were apprehended in 2014 and subsequently sentenced to life with hard labor in 2015. Additionally, three North Korean defectors with South Korean citizenship were also detained in 2016, yet their cases have not been reviewed by the WGAD due to the absence of a petition.
The UN’s classification of North Korea’s detention as arbitrary underscores the global community’s stance on human rights and the treatment of foreign nationals involved in humanitarian efforts. The calls for the immediate release of the missionaries highlight the pressing need for adherence to international law in North Korea. The South Korean government’s determination to collaborate with international allies reflects a concerted effort to address these grievances and advocate for the rights of its citizens.
Original Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
