Experts Say Human Rights Key to Korean Unification Efforts
- Experts gathered in Seoul to discuss the role of human rights in Korean unification.
- They criticized past government efforts that prioritized denuclearization over addressing human rights violations.
- The consensus was that genuine change and unification cannot occur without prioritizing the suffering of North Koreans.
On September 27, during the International Forum on One Korea in Seoul, policy experts and activists emphasized that human rights are crucial for achieving unification on the Korean Peninsula. They criticized past government efforts that focused primarily on denuclearization, which have failed to address the ongoing oppression in North Korea. Lee Seo-hyun, a North Korean defector, highlighted that without addressing the suffering of North Koreans, any plan for peace would be unsustainable. The forum, organized by the Global Peace Foundation, centered on the 'Korean Dream,' a vision for unification that promotes the historical motto of benefiting all humankind. Experts noted that the current regime's oppressive tactics are a means of survival, particularly as it faces increasing external pressures. They pointed out that the regime's crackdown on South Korean entertainment consumption illustrates its fear of outside information reaching its citizens. The discussions underscored the need for policies that prioritize human rights to foster genuine change in North Korea and ultimately lead to a peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula.