Experts Say Human Rights Must Be the Center of North Korea Policy

News Summary

At the International Forum on One Korea held in Seoul from September 27-29, dozens of distinguished scholars and activists emphasized the importance of placing North Korean human rights at the center of North Korea policy.

Dr. Robert Joseph, a senior scholar at the National Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. special envoy for nuclear nonproliferation, stated, “For 30 years, our North Korea policy has sacrificed human rights for the sake of addressing nuclear weapons. Both North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs have thrived. Sidelining human rights to appease the regime is not the answer, but a fundamental flaw in policy. Our task is to turn this record of failure into success."

Joseph proposed that prioritizing human rights and conducting a comprehensive information campaign should be at the core of a new strategy, considering that the Kim regime's greatest weakness comes from within.

Dr. Suzanne Scholte, a U.S. rights activist and leader of the North Korean Freedom Coalition, shared the same opinion, saying, “Today, the people of North Korea are far more informed about the outside world than ever before. It is precisely why Kim Jong-un is using such draconian measures to isolate them from the outside world: It is the only way he can stay in power...He is terrified that he is losing control over their minds, which will mean the end of this triple family dictatorship.”

Commentary

There is no additional support needed beyond what these two experts have stated regarding the significance of prioritizing human rights over denuclearization in North Korea policy. If the Yoon administration and a new U.S. administration pursue this new strategy persistently despite North Korea's military threats, the seemingly daunting North Korea issue can be resolved. If we choose to do the right thing—liberating the North Korean people from their 70 years of oppression under the Kim family dictatorship, everything will align as it should. What is truly needed at this time and always is the resolve and courage to do the right thing.