Human Rights Commission "Government accepts recommendations for improvement related to forced repatriation of North Korean defectors"

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea said that related ministries accepted recommendations for improvement regarding the "forced repatriation of North Korean fishermen" during the Moon Jae In government.

Earlier in August last year, the Human Rights Commission recommended the Minister of Unification, the head of the National Intelligence Service, and the head of the National Security Office to improve the system in connection with the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.

In this regard, the Ministry of Unification replied that it will directly confirm the North Korean people's intention to defect to the South after the forced repatriation and clearly define the process of confirming the intention to be protected if North Korean defectors enter South Korea or enter overseas missions.

The National Intelligence Service said it was revising and implementing related manuals, and the National Security Office said it would cooperate with related agencies to prevent similar human rights violations.

In November 2019, the Human Rights Commission recommended related agencies to improve laws and procedures after controversy over human rights violations over the repatriation of two fishermen from North Korea by fishing boats to North Korea through Panmunjom in five days.