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Jay Lefcowitz who have been appointed as the US Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights on August 27 invited Kang Chul Hwan, the co-director of Democracy Network against North Korean Gulag, on August 8, and discussed about the human rights problems in North Korea and the approaches for improvement.
In the meeting, Kang suggested effort of the special envoy to be put in termination of forced repatriation of the defectors and setting human rights and reformation as conditions for it to enjoy international aid.
On the other hand, Lefcowitz assured that he will verify in details what the UN, the US and China can do to solve the problem of defectors and because North Korea is the country that received the highest amount of aid fro the international society, North Korean actions must be verified by the UN.
He further emphasized that not only American role is important but European countries as well for the North Korean human rights problem thus he will visit Europe and talk about North Korean human rights.
After the meeting, Kang expressed his hope for the role of the US special envoy, “It seemed like the special envoy’s position was very clear in regards to the North Korean human rights problem, and I was able to see his determination to solve the North Korean human rights problem in the was the President Bush and the Secretary of State C. Rice.
Following is the dialogue between Lefcowitz and Kang in full text.
Lefcowitz : I read your book ‘The Aquariums of Pyongyang’. It is very important for the people like you to share the experience in North Korea. Thank you for making time for me.
Kang : I thank you for the invitation. Especially, I congratulate you of your appointment as the North Korean human rights special envoy. This is something the 2.3 million North Koreans must celebrate.
Lefcowitz : What is the most important thing for me to do as a special envoy?
Kang : I believe the most important problems are the North Korean defectors in China, North Korean gulags, and the problem of economic assistance to North Korea. I believe a way must be found through the UN to stop the illegal and forceful repatriation of North Korean defectors back to North Korea by the China and special efforts must be made to dismantle North Korean gulags.
North Korea has a system that can be only maintained with foreign aid; therefore the international society jointly must put human rights and economic reform as conditions for the international aid. Here, the South Korean government must side with the international society too, but it decides to provide more assistance by itself (unconditional aid), then North Korea can take advantage of this.
Lefcowitz : North Korea is the country that receives the most international aid. Therefore we must also verify the relationship between aid to North Korea and human rights, whether any change was made with the aid. When we hold talks, the most important issue is human rights.
The problem of defectors is also very important. The UN, the US, and China are currently working on how to solve this problem. North Korea is trying to shift the focus from human right by tying to make human rights issue look like a direct challenge to its regime. For this reason, we must make clear that voice for North Korea does not only come from the US but the entire international society.
I think international cooperation in providing food aid is also important. We must cooperate with Europe and the international society for a solution.
Kang : International cooperation is very important. However, the American position must be clear. The North Korean people have distorted images of the US due to the government’s anti-American propaganda. It must clearly demand human rights.
We must provide concrete evidence such as the satellite pictures of North Korean gulags and concentration camps, and the name list of the prisoners. The North Korean regime could hurt (kill) the people in order to clear our the evidence, we must make sure the government of North Korea know that we are vigilant no the gulags. We must induce peaceful ways of release of the political prisoners.
Lefcowitz : I agree. It is important to demand North Korea human rights with specific (verified) information on the gulags and political prisoners. I will work closely with many NGOs.
Kang : Now that the special envoy is appointed, I think concrete actions for North Korean human rights improvement must start. I believe much must focus on the rescue of the defectors, assistance to Free North Korea Broadcasting, sending radio into North Korea so we can bring substantial changes inside North Korea.
Lefcowitz: I will try to use the budget as effectively as possible once the Congress sets the budget. Although it may be different for North Korea, East Germany too changed by listening to West German broadcastings. I believe it is important for the North Korean people to hear outside information.
I will work to directly assist North Korean defectors and organizations or NGOs working at site to help North Korean defectors.
Kang : I thank you for putting a lot of effort for North Korean human rights. North Korean human rights problem is morally a clear and urgent problem.
Lefcowitz : I worked with President Bush for the last three years and I think the problem of North Korean human rights is as clear as black and white. The President and the Secretary of State are devoted in the problem, and I share the heart too. I will talk clearly of the North Korean human rights in moral aspect. Thank you for making time today.
