Unification Spokesperson’s Statement
on the Opinion Adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention
Calling for the Immediate Release of
Missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil
March 14, 2025
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary
Detention (WGAD) adopted an opinion on March 13 stating that the
North’s detention of missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi
Chun-gil constitutes arbitrary detention. The opinion is published and
made public on the WGAD website.
The UN Working Group concluded that the deprivation of liberty of
these missionaries violates relevant articles of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights.
The Working Group requested the North to immediately release the
missionaries, provide compensation and other reparations, ensure an
independent investigation, and to take appropriate measures against
those responsible for the violation of their rights, all in accordance
with international law.
The ROK Government has continuously urged the North to immediately
return missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil, who
have been illegally detained for over a decade. It has also worked
with the international community to resolve this issue.
The adoption of this opinion by the UN Working Group is an official
confirmation by the international community that the North’s detention
of these individuals is a clear violation of international law.
The ROK Government strongly condemns North Korea’s illegal actions
once again, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of
our nationals.
The North must take seriously the grave warning conveyed through the
opinion adopted by the UN Working Group, accept the demands of the
international community, and implement them without delay.
The ROK Government, while continuing to prioritize the protection of
our nationals, will clearly convey to the North its firm commitment to
the immediate release of the three missionaries. The Government will
also strive to resolve the issue as soon as possible by cooperating
with countries including the U.S. and U.K., as well as international
religious organizations and groups.
* Unofficial translation
