The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    4 Chinese, 4 Russian military planes enter Korea's air defense zone without notice

  • 3

    'The Second Husband' co-stars to the tie knot, expecting child in real life

  • 5

    Egyptian national arrested for possession of cannabis cookie

  • 7

    Presidential office's plan to revamp TV viewing fees causes stir

  • 9

    Samsung family takes out stock loans to pay inheritance tax

  • 11

    International Yoga Day to celebrate well-being of body, mind

  • 13

    Controversy grows as fisheries ministry stresses safety of seafood, salt, beaches

  • 15

    S. Korea wins seat on UN Security Council for 2024-25

  • 17

    JPMorgan chief meets with Korean financial leaders

  • 19

    Yoon says alliance with US upgraded to 'nuclear-based alliance'

  • 2

    Asiana Airlines pilots union to initiate mass flight delays

  • 4

    Korean food's global popularity leads to copycat products in China, Japan

  • 6

    'Dynamite' tops 1.7 bil. YouTube views to become most-watched BTS MV

  • 8

    ROK-US alliance is now nuclear-based: President Yoon

  • 10

    Incheon announces plans to become hub for overseas Koreans

  • 12

    Saudi mega-city project NEOM secures $5.6 bil. for workforce housing

  • 14

    Hyundai Motor, IKEA join hands to promote sustainable outdoor activities

  • 16

    Apple unveils Vision Pro, its $3,500 headset

  • 18

    Heart transplant recipients tie the knot

  • 20

    Ex-top trade negotiator to serve as US think tank standing senior fellow

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
North Korea
Thu, June 8, 2023 | 00:49
Unification ministry's NK report disclaimer creates controversy
Posted : 2023-05-26 16:45
Updated : 2023-05-27 09:18
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Friday. Newsis
Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Friday. Newsis

By Nam Hyun-woo

The Ministry of Unification's report on North Korean human rights is stirring controversy, as its English version included a disclaimer noting the ministry does not guarantee the government-published report's accuracy, triggering doubts over its credibility.

"In the Korean version, we have provided a detailed description that there are limitations to the report because it is based on testimonies of defectors," Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the ministry, said Friday.

"Considering the importance of legal matters in foreign cultures, the disclaimer was particularly emphasized in the English version."

The ministry published the 2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights in March, and subsequently released an English version on April 26. The government has been producing the report each year since 2017 under its North Korean Human Rights Act, but this was the first time that it was revealed to the public.

In a disclaimer clause of the English version, the ministry said: "The Ministry of Unification does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, reliability or timeliness of any information contained in this report, including but not limited to any data, analysis, or opinions," even though it has made reasonable efforts to ensure the information's accuracy.

It continued that the ministry "is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information."

Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Friday. Newsis
A screenshot of the disclaimer in the Ministry of Unification's 2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights / Captured from Ministry of Unification website

This disclaimer has raised concerns that it could undermine the credibility of the report, which the South Korean government has been circulating to international audiences to improve "awareness" on Pyongyang's human rights situation, as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol's idea that the North's dire human rights should be brought to global attention.

After publishing the report, Yoon mentioned it during his speech at a joint session of the United States Congress last month, saying "we must inform the world of the gravity of North Korea's human rights violations."

As the disclaimer does not warrant the accuracy of the report, however, it became a dent in the government's campaign to increase international pressure on North Korea.

In comparison, the U.S. Department of State's annual country report on human rights practices does not have a disclaimer that disavows its accuracy.

"As far as we know, some credible United Nations reports also have disclaimer clauses," the deputy spokesperson said. "We believe the inclusion of the disclaimer clause and the credibility of the human rights report are separate matters."


Emailnamhw@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Heart transplant recipients tie the knot Heart transplant recipients tie the knot
2Seoul Queer Culture Festival venue moved to Euljiro Seoul Queer Culture Festival venue moved to Euljiro
3Yido bridges East, West via fusion cuisine in crafted ceramics Yido bridges East, West via fusion cuisine in crafted ceramics
4Experts skeptical about effectiveness of S. Korea's UNSC seat to rein in N. KoreaExperts skeptical about effectiveness of S. Korea's UNSC seat to rein in N. Korea
5Blockchain technology on path to becoming more publically accessible Blockchain technology on path to becoming more publically accessible
6Samsung to unveil new foldable phones at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul Samsung to unveil new foldable phones at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul
7Southside Parlor adds international twist to Seoul's cocktail scene Southside Parlor adds international twist to Seoul's cocktail scene
8Umbrella union boycotts negotiating body to protest labor crackdownUmbrella union boycotts negotiating body to protest labor crackdown
9Rise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agencyRise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agency
10Tax on domestic cars to be lowered in July Tax on domestic cars to be lowered in July
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Frieze Seoul unveils stronger lineup of Asian galleries for its second edition Frieze Seoul unveils stronger lineup of Asian galleries for its second edition
2[REVIEW] 'The ODD Of LOVE' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists REVIEW'The ODD Of LOVE' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists
3Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition
4Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation
5[INTERVIEW] 'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series INTERVIEW'One Day Off' star Lee Na-young, director on creating subtle, feel-good series
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group