On April 15, the United States hosted U.S.-ROK Consultations on North Korean Human Rights to identify strategies to promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms and dignity of North Koreans. The meeting featured an expanded interagency format, demonstrating the depth of U.S.-ROK cooperation on North Korean human rights issues. Led by Ambassador Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, and Chun Younghee, ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for the Korean Peninsula Peace Regime Bureau, the two sides discussed access to information; forced labor; abductees, detainees and unrepatriated POWs; accountability; and the inextricable link between human rights violations and abuses in North Korea and international peace and security.
The United States remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing human rights and holding the DPRK government to account for its human rights violations and abuses.
Through this bilateral consultation, the United States and ROK reaffirmed their determination to work together to address the DPRK government’s human rights violations and abuses and to pursue a more just future for all North Koreans.