On December 16, a webinar titled "North Korea in the Russian War Against Ukraine: Exploring Crimes, Victims, and Accountability in Armed Conflicts" took place, featuring human rights experts from South Korea and Ukraine. The event was hosted by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), UpRights, Public Interest Journalism Lab, and The Reckoning Project.
Key Points:
Threat to International Security and Human Rights Violations North Korea has deployed a significant military contingent to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, sparking global concern and a series of UN Security Council meetings. Despite the focus on security issues, insufficient attention has been given to this involvement as a human rights violation.
Evidence of Human Rights Abuses North Korean soldiers sent to Russia are subjected to exploitation similar to the conditions experienced by North Korean overseas workers. Most of their wages are confiscated by the state, turning them into victims of modern slavery. Research by the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) confirms that these conditions are accompanied by strict surveillance, torture, and even executions for attempted desertion.
Legal Aspects of Accountability The deployment of North Korean troops violates international jus ad bellum norms and the Geneva Conventions. This involvement makes North Korea a party to the armed conflict and raises questions about state and leadership accountability for war crimes.
International Response and Calls to Action
The UN Security Council has held several meetings to discuss military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. However, other bodies, such as the International Labour Organization and the Human Rights Council, have yet to address this issue. NKDB calls for a broader international response encompassing security, labor law, and humanitarian law aspects.
Future of Prisoners of War and Repatriation Concerns
Ukraine is considering exchanging captured North Korean soldiers for its own citizens. However, returning these soldiers to North Korea could lead to torture and repression due to their exposure to the outside world. The principle of non-refoulement, given the risk of torture, is critical. Historical experience suggests that prisoners of war should be given the opportunity to resettle in other countries, such as South Korea, rather than being sent back to North Korea.
Read the full brief here:
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