[imText1]The S. Korean government announced its decision to affirm the U.N. North Korea Human Rights Resolution and though analysts on NK affairs assumed that the decision of the government seems like acting out of criticism of international community. It has been argued that, this time must be utilized as an opportunity to take proactive measures.
Professor Yoo Ho Yeul of Korea University said “Though the feelings are overdue, it is very positive that a decision has been made to affirm the North Korea Human Rights Resolution” and “In future, not only must we agree but constructive action must be taken to improve human rights in North Korea.”
Professor Yoo asserted “The government should not vote for the resolution just for the sake of the reputation of the next U.N. Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon.
Furthermore, he said “For a while the government was acclimatizing to North Korea and hence did not participate nor place an absentee vote on the North Korea Human Rights Resolution” and strongly stated “We must send a clear message that we will speak out and that we will not be intimidated by North Korea’s nuke experiment.”
Professor Chun In Young of Seoul National University said “The issue of human rights is not only a national issue, yet our government has generally been displaying negative responsibility” and “It is fortunately that the government has at least now agreed.”
Professor Chun said “As much as the U.N. is committed to Korea, the government’s affirmation to the decision is inevitable” and analyzed “The government was feeling pressure from within the nation for showing a negative attitude towards the issue of human rights in North Korea and was concerned that the international community’s favorability would decline if an absentee vote was placed again.”
In addition, analysts predict that even if the North Korea Human Rights Resolution is affirmed, little change will be made to the North Korea engagement policy.
Professor Yoo conjectured that “The government won’t change the engagement policy towards North Korea” and said “The government will need to deliberate on what policies it will adopt to realistically improve human rights in North Korea.”
He argued “In order to solve issues including North Korea human rights, the government needs to strengthen cooperation with the international community” and added “There is evidence to show that the engagement policy was ineffective in producing change in North Korea such as North Korea’s nuke experiments.”
Professor Chun assumes that “While the government did take measures to reduce North Korea aid when the nuclear experiments were being conducted, even if the North Korea Human Rights Resolution is agreed looking at the bigger picture, there will not be significant changes to the North Korea engagement policy.”
