Preventing Forcing Repatriation, US Special Envoys Meet North Korean Defenders To Guarantee Human Rights

JAKARTA - US special envoy for North Korean human rights Julie Turner vowed to cooperate with the international community to prevent forced repatriation for defectors from North Korea.

His visit to South Korea and Japan from Monday to Thursday (12-15 February) as well as attending the 10-year anniversary of the issuance of a 2014 UN Investigation Commission report on human rights abuses in North Korea.

Quoted from ANTARA, South Korea's unification ministry on Saturday, February 17 said Turner made the statement on Friday when meeting with a group of defectors who expressed concern over the fate of North Korean defectors in China who could face severe penalties in their home country.

Turner also discussed with officials on ways to cooperate with ministries on separate families due to the 1950-53 Korean War living in the US.

In addition, Turner visited Hanawon, a residential facility for defectors entering South Korea.