North Korean women defectors testified that “the whole of North Korea is a prison,” accusing the reality of political prison camps in North Korea at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in North Korea. The European Parliament called for the international community’s attention, saying that North Korea’s human rights violations are serious.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 15th, the European Parliament held a meeting in Strasbourg, France on the 14th (local time) to discuss North Korean human rights, especially the issue of political prison camps.
Rep. Mihil Hohebin, who hosted the meeting, stressed that the international community has been focusing on political and military issues such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, and that it is time to pay attention to the serious human rights abuses suffered by North Koreans.
Greg Scalatou, secretary-general of the US Commission on Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK), who participated as a panelist, pointed out that although 10 years have passed since the COI report on human rights in North Korea came out, no follow-up measures have been taken to improve the actual problem.
He argued that “both the US and South Korean governments have neglected the North Korean human rights issue,” and insisted that this issue be prioritized in North Korea policy.
The event was also attended by two North Korean defectors, including Jeong Kwang-il, the representative of the North Korean human rights group No Chain, who was imprisoned in a political prison camp before settling in South Korea after escaping from North Korea.
A North Korean defector, whose name has not been revealed for personal protection, said, “I was subjected to harsh labor and verbal and physical abuse in a poor environment where even basic food and even drinking water were not provided properly.” “The entire North Korean society is like a prison.” I sighed.
Mr. A said, “In North Korea, people are imprisoned even if they are innocent. All of North Korea is a prison. My steps to eat and live were violated and became a sin,” he said. “A lot of people are dying. I hope you will pay more attention to the human rights situation in North Korea and learn more about it.”
North Korean defector B also said that hundreds of inmates died while incarcerated due to malnutrition and poor medical service, and she wanted the international community to be aware of the serious human rights violations in North Korea, conveying the memory of burning the bodies.
Representative Jeong Kwang-il added that during the reign of Chairman Kim Jong-il, he went to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to inquire whether the North Korean leader would file a complaint, but made efforts to establish practical responsibility with the North Korean authorities, but he still did not see any change.
Source: Donga
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