Page 101 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

United Nations’ Role: Reinvigorating discussions on North
Korean human rights at the UN Security Council is crucial.
Support from a majority of council members is necessary to
heighten the issue’s prominence and exert pressure on the
regime.

Advancing Human Rights in Diplomacy: Human rights should be
integrated into broader geopolitical considerations, forming
a core component of diplomatic efforts. The international
community, especially like-minded countries, must collaborate
to develop sophisticated strategies to pressure North Korea.

Empowering North Koreans: Fostering awareness and
empowerment among North Koreans, particularly the
younger generation, is vital. They should be seen not merely as
victims of the regime but as potential agents of change.

Conclusion

Addressing the human rights crisis in North Korea requires a
holistic approach that integrates human rights concerns with
the larger dialogue of peace, freedom, and reunification on the
Korean Peninsula. In December 2023, Kim Jong-Un declared
a “two-state system” as a significant shift in North Korea’s
stance toward South Korea and unification, driven more by
fear of South Korean dominance than confidence in its own
nuclear capabilities. Recognizing North Korea as a separate
state would undermine legal and moral grounds for protecting
North Koreans’ human rights and diminish the prospects
for unification. If North Korea recognizes South Korea as

100 Section II : Human Rights, Abductees, Forced Repatriation of Refugees and the Regional Implications