1.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guest,
My name is Yungho Kim, Minister of Unification.
I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate you
on the 10th anniversary of the “Human Rights in North Korea Day” of Canada.
The Day which was designated on September 28th 2013, shows Canada’s
will to resolve North Korean human rights issues.
It is the path that the Republic of Korea has to take as we do not
have such day yet.
I sincerely hope that today’s event could bring attention
to North Korean human rights issues in Canada once again.
First of all, I would like to express my deepest appreciation
to Mr. Kyung Bok Lee of HRNK Canada for years of contribution he had
made to promote North Korean human rights from Canada.
I would also like to thank the Honourable Judy A. Sgro, Senator
Yonah Martin, Ambassador David Slinn, Executive Director Greg
Scarlatoiu of HRNK as well as all the participants and members of the
HRNK Canada who are with us today.
2.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year marks the 60th anniversary since the Republic of Korea and
Canada established diplomatic relations.
60 years has unique meaning in Korea.
It resembles that one cycle of life has came to an end and another
has started again.
During the ROK-Canada summit held in Seoul last May,
Two leaders have agreed to work together to promote human rights in
North Korea.
I believe that North Korean human rights issue is a priority for
both countries for the next 60 years of cooperation.
Since Yoon Suk Yeol administration came to office, the government
has published Report on North Korea Human Rights for the first time,
returned as a sponsor for North Korea Human Rights Resolution in the
UN and invested pragmatic efforts to promote human rights in North Korea.
The ROK government will continue to plan and carryout diverse
activities to promote North Korean human rights with the international community.
First of all, the government will start to establish the ‘National
North Korea Human Rights Center’ from next year as the place to
display contents related to North Korean Human Rights and spread them
to the international community.
We will also hold an ‘International Dialogue on North Korea Human
Rights’ overseas so that we can create a platform for experts and
activities to discuss the issue.
We will find a way to share information on North Korean Human Rights
without restriction to time and space, spread understanding of the
issue and find diverse ways to promote North Korean Human Rights.
3.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is estimated that North Korea still lacks food in their country.
The North Korean regime is using measures such as Anti-Reactionary
Thought Law to strictly control people’s lives.
As North Korean people’s exchange with the outside world was
blocked, I’m worried that the freedom and human rights situation for
them might have gotten worse.
What we can do right now is to show the reality of North Korea human
rights throughout the world and promote interest and demand
improvement for the human rights.
As we uphold values of freedom and human rights, It is our
responsibility to ensure that the people in the North will not be
threatened of their lives and enjoy free and peaceful lives.
There’s an English saying that ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’
If we can bring will of our both countries and the globe, Although
the path that we are taking might be dark right now, I have no doubt
that there will be light for our path to promote human rights situation.
Thank you
