Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
North Korean human rights abuses 'egregious': US
By Lee Min-hyung
The United States has expressed regret over North Korea's “egregious violations” of human rights amid their reviving tension in the wake of the North's recent test of short-range projectiles.
“For decades, the regime in North Korea has subjected its people to egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Monday (local time).
She said about 100,000 North Koreans suffer in political prison camps, and those who try to flee are “tortured and killed” when caught.
“We remain gravely concerned and deeply troubled by these abuses,” she said. “We continue to work with the international community to raise awareness, highlight abuses and violations, enhance access to independent information, and promote respect for human rights in North Korea.”
The statement came only a few days after the North fired some projectiles into the East Sea, in an apparent show of dissatisfaction over the stalemate in nuclear talks with the U.S. following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit last February.
Despite the provocation, the U.S. and the South expressed their willingness to continue to maintain the rare dialogue with the North.
But given that the North has reacted sensitively against the international community raising the issue of its human rights, the statement is seen as a gesture to press the North over its recent provocative gesture.
The department spokeswoman went on to take issue with the North's human rights and expressed determination to continue to raise the awareness of the issue.
“As we reflect on North Korea Freedom Week, we recognize the efforts of the North Korean defectors and human rights community to continue to shine a spotlight on the dire human rights situation in North Korea,” she said.
The event has taken place each year since 2004 to raise awareness of the North's human rights violations and call for the international community to pay close attention to the issue.
According to Voice of America, the United Nations human rights council will broadcast live via the internet about the North's human rights conditions on Thursday.