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| Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Friday. Newsis |
By Nam Hyun-woo
The Ministry of Unification's report on North Korean human rights is stirring controversy, as its English version included a disclaimer noting the ministry does not guarantee the government-published report's accuracy, triggering doubts over its credibility.
"In the Korean version, we have provided a detailed description that there are limitations to the report because it is based on testimonies of defectors," Lee Hyo-jung, deputy spokesperson of the ministry, said Friday.
"Considering the importance of legal matters in foreign cultures, the disclaimer was particularly emphasized in the English version."
The ministry published the 2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights in March, and subsequently released an English version on April 26. The government has been producing the report each year since 2017 under its North Korean Human Rights Act, but this was the first time that it was revealed to the public.
In a disclaimer clause of the English version, the ministry said: "The Ministry of Unification does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, reliability or timeliness of any information contained in this report, including but not limited to any data, analysis, or opinions," even though it has made reasonable efforts to ensure the information's accuracy.
It continued that the ministry "is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information."
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| A screenshot of the disclaimer in the Ministry of Unification's 2023 Report on North Korean Human Rights / Captured from Ministry of Unification website |
This disclaimer has raised concerns that it could undermine the credibility of the report, which the South Korean government has been circulating to international audiences to improve "awareness" on Pyongyang's human rights situation, as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol's idea that the North's dire human rights should be brought to global attention.
After publishing the report, Yoon mentioned it during his speech at a joint session of the United States Congress last month, saying "we must inform the world of the gravity of North Korea's human rights violations."
As the disclaimer does not warrant the accuracy of the report, however, it became a dent in the government's campaign to increase international pressure on North Korea.
In comparison, the U.S. Department of State's annual country report on human rights practices does not have a disclaimer that disavows its accuracy.
"As far as we know, some credible United Nations reports also have disclaimer clauses," the deputy spokesperson said. "We believe the inclusion of the disclaimer clause and the credibility of the human rights report are separate matters."
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