Page 97 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

military prowess as leverage in negotiations with the United
States. Domestically, Kim Jong-Un’s regime maintains its
grip through rigorous information control and a politics of
fear, blatantly violating human rights, including freedom
of expression and movement. The extensive allocation of
resources to military initiatives exacerbates the country’s
chronic food shortages.

A particularly alarming consequence of North Korea’s nuclear
program is the potential for radiation exposure near nuclear
facilities like Yongbyon and Punggye-ri. Since 2006, six
nuclear tests have been conducted, and the situation remains
precarious with the possibility of a seventh test occurring at
any time. The apparent lack of safety measures at these areas
poses significant health risks to scientists, military personnel,
local residents, and political prisoners held nearby. This
exposure raises concerns about a severe humanitarian crisis
stemming from the nuclear program.

Challenges and Tasks for Unravelling the

North Korean Human Rights Crisis

The aforementioned lists, while not exhaustive, indicate
that the human rights crisis in North Korea is more severe
and concerning than in any other authoritarian regime.
Nevertheless, internationalizing the issue as a solution-
seeking strategy remains difficult. First, North Korea’s
international isolation and the extremely limited access to
information mean the precise extent and nature of human
rights abuses remain obscure, complicating fact-finding and

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