By Kim Tae-gyu
Leaders of the G8 power on Wednesday raised worries about human rights in North Korea including concern for nine citizens who fled from the communist country and were forcibly repatriated after being apprehended in Laos.
Following the G8 summit in Northern Ireland, the group of nations issued a communique in which they also condemned the North’s ballistic and nuclear threats that undermine regional security and stability.
“We urge North Korea to address the concerns of the international community over its human rights violations, including the abductions issue and treatment of refugees returned to North Korea,” it said.
The summit participants were also resolute regarding military aggression ― Pyongyang fired a missile last December and carried out a third atomic test this February resulting in further UN sanctions.
Despite restrictions on it, North Korea continues its nuclear ambitions. In April it announced that it will reactivate all of its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon, which were mothballed under an international agreement reached in 2007 through the six-party talks.
“We remain deeply concerned about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. North Korea must meet its international obligations by completely, verifiably and irreversibly abandoning its nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” stated the group’s release.
“It must engage constructively in credible and authentic multilateral talks and refrain from provocative actions … While it refuses to meet these obligations, we call on the international community to ensure full implementation of UN sanctions against North Korea.”