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| Unification Minister Kwon Young-se speaks during a press conference at the Office of the Inter-Korean Dialogue in Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis |
By Jung Min-ho
Establishing a foundation for human rights in North Korea will be one of the three key projects in 2022 after six years of delay, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se confirmed Tuesday.
The statement comes as the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is moving away from the stance of the previous Moon Jae-in government, which was extremely cautious about touching on issues that could anger the North.
"I will personally ask lawmakers from both the right and the left for the foundation launch," Kwon said during a press conference at the Office of the Inter-Korean Dialogue in Seoul. "As soon as it opens, under the North Korean Human Rights Act, our ministry will step up efforts to improve the lives of ordinary North Koreans through research and new policies."
The law was enacted in March 2016, but has since remained in name only, after then President Park Geun-hye was impeached and ousted from office in 2017 following a major scandal, paving the way for her successor, Moon, to pursue a more conciliatory approach to the North.
Kwon, however, made it clear that the Yoon administration will not use the foundation as a propaganda tool against the North.
"Some people say human rights should be used a means of pressing North Korea to change. I disagree. Human rights are among the universal values," he said. "Our ministry will not use them as a means of embarrassing the North or promoting the South … It is also essential for the harmonious reunification of the two sides."
Last week, North Korea named Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon, regarded as a hardline official, to lead the United Front Department of the ruling Workers' Party to handle issues with the South.
Kwon offered him to have talks, saying he is open for a meeting "wherever and whenever without any preconditions."
When North Korea reported its first official COVID-19 case on May 12, Kwon thought it was a sign for its willingness to receive support from other countries. Yet he said Pyongyang has not responded to Seoul's offer to help so far.
According to a senior ministry official, the North has received support only from China, its key ally.
Kwon also said Pyongyang seems to have completed preparations for its first nuclear test since 2017.
"Judging from what has happened at the Punggye-ri nuclear test facility, we believe it is now ready," he said. "It is difficult to tell when it will conduct the test. It seems that North Korea is assessing the best timing.
"What's important is how we respond, if the North carries it out. Given its nuclear weapons are an international issue, we will work with other nations, including the United States, to sanction the North. We may roll out our own sanctions … North Korea should know that such tests may advance its technology but they will result in weakening its security and economy."
