“If the world stays silent on North Korea’s human rights abuses and fails to maintain pressure, Kim Jong-un will likely feel empowered to continue his regime’s oppression and violations.”
On the 11th, at the Save the Children office in Mapo, Seoul, Oh Joon emphasized, “Sustained pressure on human rights abuses keeps North Korea aware that the global community is always watching.”
Oh Joon, a former South Korean Ambassador to the UN, became well-known for a powerful speech on North Korean human rights delivered over a decade ago. His words were so impactful that some North Korean laborers working abroad, after watching the speech on YouTube, were inspired to defect. One North Korean soldier stationed in Russia tearfully recalled hearing Oh Joon say, “To South Koreans, North Koreans are much more than just people from another nation.” and it left a deep impression on him.
During his diplomatic career, Oh Joon served four terms in South Korea’s UN mission, holding roles like Deputy Ambassador and Chair of the UN Economic and Social Council. After 38 years of service, he has earned a reputation as an expert in multilateral diplomacy. He now leads Save the Children, a global NGO committed to advancing children’s rights, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
Reflecting on his UN tenure, Oh Joon remarked, “The adoption of North Korea’s first human rights report by the UN was a significant milestone in our divided history.” He added, “Although the UN Security Council is typically focused on peace and security issues, a consensus emerged that severe human rights violations could also threaten stability. This paved the way for the historic inclusion of North Korean human rights on the Security Council’s agenda.”
Explaining his statement, “To South Koreans, North Koreans are much more than just people from another nation.” Oh Joon said, “After over 80 years of division and both Koreas being separate UN members since 1991, fewer people remember our shared history. My message aimed to address that disconnect.” He was surprised that it resonated not only with UN member states but also with younger generations in both Koreas. “Maintaining our shared identity and kinship,” he added, “can help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, foster cooperation and dialogue, and bring us closer to reunification.”
He stressed the importance of South Korea joining the international push to address human rights issues in North Korea, saying, “Our government must actively participate in these efforts.”
Oh Joon discussed the “cumulative effect” of global sanctions on North Korea, stating that while the regime may initially withstand the pressure with internal resources and support from China and Russia, continued sanctions will eventually cause it to collapse, as the saying goes, “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” He added that North Korea’s endurance doesn’t mean everything is fine, pointing to the recent rise in defections by North Korean elites abroad as evidence.
Regarding the U.S. presidential race, Oh Joon predicted, “If Donald Trump returns to office, he will likely intensify contact with North Korea, whereas Kamala Harris would likely maintain Joe Biden’s approach to North Korea.” While Trump’s meetings with Kim Jong-un were symbolically significant, Oh Joon noted that it’s uncertain how progress on denuclearization would unfold. “Even if a U.S. president meets with Kim in South Korea, we’ve seen that such encounters don’t necessarily bring about meaningful shifts in security issues like the North’s nuclear program.”
On South Korea-Japan relations, Oh Joon noted, “The transition from Moon Jae-in to Yoon Suk-yeol has opened the door to improving ties with Japan.” He emphasized the importance of managing historical issues to ensure continued growth in security cooperation and economic relations between the two countries.
He concluded, “Though Yoon’s administration has made clear progress with Japan, the historical disputes between the two countries remain unresolved. Still, I believe we should continue strengthening our security and economic partnerships, even while grappling with these challenges.” @SAND
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