[imText1]A generation where 10,000 defectors are living in South Korea. What kind of president do they want to elect?
With the upcoming presidential election this year, the DailyNK interviewed 10 defectors regarding their opinions on the future of South Korea, including its relationship with North Korea and the U.S. The defectors interviewed have either studied in higher educational institutes in North Korea such as Kim Il Sung University, Kim Chaek University of Technology, Pyongyang University of Education and Chongjin University of Education or are defectors currently studying at universities in South Korea today.
Unanimously, all interviewees bitterly criticized the Roh Moo Hyun Administration’s North Korea policy. They all agreed that the government’s North Korea policy is “killing the North Korean people and saving Kim Jong Il” and advocated that the presidential candidates draft a North Korea policy from the position of mutual reciprocity.
Additionally, they argued that policies on North Korea relations needed to recognize North Korea as a dictatorial regime and use this as a basis to address the issues pertaining to the regime, human rights issues and nuclear weapons.
In particular, the interviewees strongly criticized the government for its attitude regarding North Korea’s human rights abuses. “The next president must display a proactive response to human rights,” they argued.
We will first introduce the aspirations of the defectors regarding the attitudes and direction of the North Korea policy and human rights issues by the next president.
◆ “A president who can address the topic of North Korean human rights” = The defectors stated that though the government puts a high priority on the South-North relationship, the most critical and basic issue of human rights is being ignored.
In other words, the government does not trust nor listen to the direct experiences of defectors on the reality of the human rights situation in North Korea but only struggles to please Kim Jong Il.
Park Il Hyun who once attended Kim Chaek University of Technology said, “The issue of North Korea human rights must not be conciliated by any means nor compromised.” He added, “The government must look squarely in the eyes of the people who are denied the most basic rights of humankind and are living lives that are far worse than that of insects.”
Shim Joo Il of Kim Il Sung University said, “The North Korea human rights issue should be considered a universal basic right, but the government can’t even do that.” The next government must reveal and educate the South Korean people on just how severe the situation of human rights is in North Korea and NGOs must unite to address the human rights issue as one.
“In the long run, the government must make people realize that the human rights issue in North Korea is something that may affect anyone,” he said proposing that it was a tough issue and advocated that the government should “press for human rights until the North Korean people begin to regain the rights that they have lost.”
Jang In Duk of Pyongyang University of Education said, “I cannot understand why the South Korean government has not mentioned a single word regarding the North Korean human rights…” He strongly criticized the government by stating, “The fact the government cannot find it within itself to request the North return those South Koreans abducted and forced to go to the North over the years simply goes to show the government has no values.”
Kim Seung Chul, researcher at the Institute of North Korea Studies said, “There can be no position or opinion on the issue of North Korea human rights… Human rights issues are not considered on the conditions or situation but must be discussed continuously in every position.”
A student at Sogang University, Jang Chul Nam said, “Compromises must not be made on all of North Korea’s crimes as human rights violations are clearly a crime” and added, “Though the offenders cannot be punished under present conditions, the crimes against humanity must not be neglected.”
He added, “The next president must address the irresponsible acts of the former government who neglected human rights infringements and propose realistic strategies to improve human rights in North Korea.”
◆ “The South Korean government’s North Korea policy is killing the North Korean people and saving Kim Jong Il” = Defectors argue that the current policy of positive engagement with North Korea is to blame for the government’s blind eye towards human rights abuses. The government prioritizes “dialogue” with North Korea above all things and is unable to make even the slightest comments to Pyongyang regarding massive human rights violations.
In particular, the interviewees asserted that the government’s North Korea policy merely fattens the Kim Jong Il dictatorship while making the lives of the people even harder. Further, they argue that the new North Korea policy should specifically include mutual reciprocity – to put an end to current situation where the South Korean government is being dragged around by the North.
Chairman for the Committee for the Democratization of North Korea, Kang Cheol Hwan said that the government’s inhumane North Korea policy was saving KIm Jong Il while driving the North Korean people into greater pain and that a mutual reciprocal policy was needed to improve human rights and pressure the foundations of the Kim Jong Il government to change.
He said, “I thought that the reason the government was being silent on the issues pertain to North Korea’s regime revolved around safeguarding the Sunshine policy… However, now I think that Kim Jong Il has won the hearts of the participants of the Korean War (and hence currently leaders of South Korea).” “That’s why they are trying to please Kim Jong Il,” he said.
Jang Ho Nam of Chongjin University said, “Until now, the Kim Dae Jung and the Roh Moo Hyun governments have only helped Kim Jong Il, not the North Korean people” and “The more Kim Jong Il is supported, the harder it is for the North Korean people.” He added, “The government’s North Korea policy is infuriating and abhorrent.”
He advocated change. “Just as much as there is material aid for North Korea, applying pressure is needed to actively discuss issues such as human rights, abductees and prisoners of war in North Korean people.”
Representative Kang Won Chul of Young Defectors Alliance for North Koran Human Rights said, “The government’s North Korea policy has failed in the sense that it only prolongs the life of the Kim Jong Il government and doesn’t at the least improve the lives of North Korean people.” “A North Korea policy which bases North Korean democratization is necessary,” he concluded
Shim Joo Il said, “The North Korea policy is greatly mistaken in thinking change will occur as long as South Korea does this much with North Korea. In particular, it will not be too late if we have economic negotiations with North Korea after democratization. The government’s policy of continuous aid is merely strengthening North Korea physically.”
