On August 5, Unification Minister Kwon Youngse met with Damon Wilson,
President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and
representatives of organizations promoting democracy, and shared
insights on various issues, including the ongoing situation on the
Korean Peninsula and ways to strengthen human rights in North Korea.
Minister Kwon highlighted that the human rights of North Korean
residents and measures to improve the humanitarian situation are
priorities in policy toward North Korea and that the Government will
pursue humanitarian support regardless of political or military circumstances.
President Wilson mentioned that democratic governance in the
Indo-Pacific region requires solidarity and networking with democratic
countries in Asia including Korea. He emphasized that he is looking
forward to working with young North Korean defectors, civil societies,
as well as the new administration in South Korea to enhance human
rights in North Korea.
Minister Kwon agreed with President Wilson’s comment and responded
that the major task is to support North Korean defectors settling in
South Korean society. Minister Kwon also said that he hoped young
defectors could set a good example like Angela Merkel who had been
rasied in the former East Germany.
Both sides promised to cooperate closely and to communicate in
efforts to improve the human rights situation in North Korea.