Boosting cooperation on the
improvement of human rights in North Korea, including halting the
forced repatriation of North Korean defectors from other
countries
Minister Kim Yung Ho meets with representatives of
the U.S.-based HRF (October 23)
On October 23, Unification
Minister Kim Yung Ho met with representatives of the Human Rights
Foundation (HRF) to exchange opinions on North Korean human
rights.
* A civic group founded by Thor Halvorssen, a film
producer and human rights advocate, in 2005, dedicated to protecting
human rights in closed societies, including North Korea.
Minister Kim mentioned that he is closely monitoring HRF’s
activities to improve human rights in North Korea, support North
Korean defectors, and expand the access of North Korean residents to
information. The minister also expressed his agreement with the
effectiveness of a “cultural approach” in addressing North Korean
human rights issues.
Thor Halvorssen Mendoza, CEO of HRF,
informed the minister that his organization is planning to hold its
international Oslo Freedom Forum on human rights promotion in
multiple locations in Asia and asked the Ministry of Unification for
its interest in HRF’s activities.
Both Kim and Halvorssen
expressed concerns about China’s recent forcible repatriation of
North Korean defectors and shared the need for the international
community to work more closely to prevent such moves.
