The South Korean government has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of three South Korean missionaries detained in North Korea. This call came after the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted a report calling for their release.
On Friday, the Ministry of Unification issued the statement, urging North Korea to free the three South Korean missionaries: Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie, and Choi Chun-gil. These individuals have been detained since their arrests between 2013 and 2014, when they were accused of spying for South Korea’s intelligence agency.
The three missionaries were working in the Chinese border city of Dandong when they were arrested. They were sentenced to life in labor for their activities. The UN working group’s decision confirms that their arrests were illegal and a violation of international law. This opinion calls for their immediate release, reparations, and an independent investigation into their detention.
In response to the report, the Ministry of Unification emphasized that the detention of these missionaries violates international law. It also urged North Korea to comply with the UN’s recommendation and release the detainees without delay. “The government strongly denounces North Korea’s actions and will work with international partners to resolve this issue,” said the ministry spokesperson, Koo Byoung-sam.
The UN working group’s conclusions came after a petition from the missionaries’ families, who sought the international community’s intervention. The group highlighted violations of the missionaries’ freedom of expression and their right to a fair trial. North Korea has previously released other foreign detainees, but it has remained firm about keeping the three South Korean missionaries in captivity.
South Korea’s government remains committed to ensuring their release and will continue to work with global allies to push for their freedom. The international community now waits to see if North Korea will heed the UN’s call for the release of these individuals.
