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abducted Japanese citizens, leading to the return of five. This
issue remains a priority for Japan, symbolized by blue ribbons.
Conversely, South Korea, with a higher number of abductees,
has only recently begun formal responses. The Yoon Suk-
Yeol administration has demonstrated a firm commitment
to not forgetting abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated
South Korean prisoners of war, symbolized by the creation of
a forget-me-not badge in April 2024. This gesture marks an
unprecedented proactive and varied effort by the government.

The 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) report
emphasized the significance of the international community
raising a strong voice against illegal abductions and detentions
perpetrated by North Korea. Furthermore, during the August
2023 Camp David trilateral summit between South Korea,
the United States and Japan, the leaders reaffirmed their
joint commitment to resolving these issues. This situation
underscores the necessity for increased empathy and decisive
action to address abductions and aid the victims and their
families.

The Nexus Between Human Rights and Nuclear Risk

North Korea’s military programs, specifically its nuclear and
missile developments, are deeply intertwined with severe
human rights abuses under the Kim Jong-Un regime. This
strategy serves two purposes: reinforcing the regime’s survival
and seeking international recognition as a nuclear weapons
state. In focusing on nuclear militarization, the regime
neglects genuine denuclearization talks, instead using its

Chapter Six : Unveiling the North Korean Human Rights Quandary 95