The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Hybe's new boy group Boynextdoor aims to be 'one and only' presence in K-pop

  • 3

    Brave Girls to restart activities under new name

  • 5

    Rapper Mino attends sister's wedding in U.S. amid military service

  • 7

    Running convenience stores becomes popular among people in 20s, 30s

  • 9

    Actors' off-screen chemistry enthralls fans

  • 11

    Sluggish exports behind weak Korean won

  • 13

    Naver suffers shrinking online search market share

  • 15

    Doctors, pharmacists to receive 30% bonus for offering telemedicine service

  • 17

    'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema

  • 19

    BTS' J-Hope to work as drill instructor at Army boot camp: sources

  • 2

    Seoul city erroneously sends emergency alert after NK launch

  • 4

    NK's attempt to launch 1st spy satellite fails after 'abnormal' flight: S. Korean military

  • 6

    Korea to ease immigration rules to attract more medical tourists

  • 8

    Big businesses face growing union pressure to extend retirement age

  • 10

    Seoul city takes flak for emergency text alert on NK's rocket launch

  • 12

    Anti-corruption watchdog set to investigate crypto assets of lawmakers

  • 14

    Seoul resident clashes with authorities for raising dogs to nab 'North Korean spies'

  • 16

    Pyongyang may have delayed spy satellite launch due to technical issues

  • 18

    NATIONALKorea likely to face pressure over imports of Fukushima seafood

  • 20

    Directors thrive on streaming platforms amid sluggish film industry

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
North Korea
Thu, June 1, 2023 | 05:42
Activist demands ICC arrest warrant for Kim Jong-un
Posted : 2023-03-20 17:05
Updated : 2023-03-21 11:13
Jung Min-ho
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Monday. A human rights activist has called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Kim over the regime's systemic human rights violations and crimes against humanity. AP-Yonhap
A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Monday. A human rights activist has called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Kim over the regime's systemic human rights violations and crimes against humanity. AP-Yonhap

Advocates call for action marking 10th anniversary of landmark UN report on North Korea's human rights abuses

By Jung Min-ho

Jung Gwang-il, a longtime human rights activist from North Korea, was surprised to hear the news on March 17 that the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved an arrest warrant for Russia's President Vladimir Putin for allegedly deporting Ukrainian children against their will following Moscow's invasion last year.

As a North Korean escapee who has been trying to raise awareness of the horrendous rights violations under the North's regime over the last 20 years, Jung was astonished by the court's swift action against Putin ― the action it has not taken against North Korean rulers in spite of overwhelming evidence collected for decades.

"I thought it was extremely difficult (to have the court issue the arrest warrant) … I still have no idea why the court hasn't issued an arrest warrant for Kim Jong-un until now," Jung said during a forum on North Korea's human rights situation at Yonsei University in Seoul, Monday.

After being subject to horrific torture in a North Korean political prison camp, Jung has tried to bring the North Korean leader and his predecessor, Kim Jong-il, to justice at the court at the Hague, the Netherlands. Yet jurisdiction and other issues have frustrated all such attempts.

Nawi Ukabiala, a New York-based lawyer who was taking part in the forum via the internet, said the difference over where the alleged crimes were committed ― in the territory of Ukraine, in the case of Putin ― was probably the reason for the differing stances by the ICC.

But that does not mean the governments and activists around the world should rule out the possibility of the ICC's action on North Korea.

"We have to keep up the pressure because we don't know when the geopolitical situation will change to make the prosecution viable," he said.

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Monday. A human rights activist has called on the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Kim over the regime's systemic human rights violations and crimes against humanity. AP-Yonhap
Nawi Ukabiala, a New York-based lawyer, speaks during his online presentation for a North Korean human rights forum held at Yonsei University in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Given that Russia ― just like North Korea ― does not recognize the ICC, its warrant is unlikely to result in the arrest of Putin. But it carries a symbolic significance and would limit his travel to the countries that recognize the court's authority, which could be a frightening message to Putin ― and to Kim.

The ICC's decision has been welcomed by rights activists. Human Rights Watch, a New York-based organization, called it a wake-up call to other dictators who are "committing abuses or covering them up that their day in court may be coming."

At the forum, which was held to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea, participants expressed regret over little progress made since. North Korea continues to run political prison camps among other unlawful detention facilities while committing terrible crimes, including forced abortions and infanticide. On a positive note, evidence of such crimes is abundant for possible prosecution if it ever happens. Former ICC President Song Sang-hyun, a keynote speaker at the event, said the day will come.

"We must not be discouraged because there are limitations to our efforts in raising the issue of accountability in the DPRK (North Korea). These limitations include the inability to have a UNSC referral to the ICC because of the veto power of permanent members, as the DPRK is not a member state to the ICC and Rome Statute," Song said.

"There is one truth and that is that every regime has a lifespan, even the Kim regime in the DPRK, and all lifespans must eventually come to end. However, we cannot sit idly and watch human rights abuses being perpetrated while we wait for the end of the Kim regime's lifespan. We need to mobilize and rekindle the urgent fight for human rights in the DPRK."




Emailmj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Seoul city takes flak for emergency text alert on NK's rocket launchSeoul city takes flak for emergency text alert on NK's rocket launch
2Rude cabbies in Seoul face stricter penaltiesRude cabbies in Seoul face stricter penalties
3[INTERVIEW] Asia expected to be key driver of ESG growth: Deloitte ESG Partner INTERVIEWAsia expected to be key driver of ESG growth: Deloitte ESG Partner
4North Korea's spy satellite launch fails as rocket falls into sea North Korea's spy satellite launch fails as rocket falls into sea
5Retailers adopt generative AI to offer personalized products, services Retailers adopt generative AI to offer personalized products, services
6Committee calls for lowering requirements for foreigners to teach English online Committee calls for lowering requirements for foreigners to teach English online
7Chinese account for 54% of foreign-owned homes in Korea Chinese account for 54% of foreign-owned homes in Korea
8AMCHAM stresses S. Korea-US ties after NK fires 'space launch vehicle' AMCHAM stresses S. Korea-US ties after NK fires 'space launch vehicle'
9LS chairman appears in YouTube commercial LS chairman appears in YouTube commercial
10Samsung Sharing Kiosk raises $174,000 to help children in need Samsung Sharing Kiosk raises $174,000 to help children in need
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Lee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out' INTERVIEWLee Jun-hyuk unrecognizable in 'The Roundup: No Way Out'
2'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema 'Elemental' director on bringing his personal story of immigration to cinema
3SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary of debut: 'It feels surreal' SHINee celebrates 15th anniversary of debut: 'It feels surreal'
4ENHYPEN reaches new career high with latest album 'Dark Blood' ENHYPEN reaches new career high with latest album 'Dark Blood'
5'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' raises bar with epic battle scenes 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' raises bar with epic battle scenes
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group