Accountability
We leverage targeted sanctions to curb human rights violations in North Korea through imposing significant financial penalties on the perpetratorsOur impact
In July 2024, we achieved a significant milestone by securing the first ever civil-society-led sanctions for human righs violations in North Korea. Our dossier of evidence led to the sanctioning of Ri Chang Dae, the Minister of State Security. He has been held accountable for numerous acts of sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated by Ministry officials, particularly targeting women and girls in detention, documented by Korea Future. This action underscores our commitment to ensuring justice for victims and holding high-ranking officials responsible for their acts.
Our efforts also resulted in the sanctioning of Onsong County MSS Detention Centre, a facility in North Hamgyong Province. We had documented numerous instances of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment within this centre, highlighting its severe human rights violations and the need for accountability.
What are Magnitsky sanctions?
Targeted human rights sanctions are specific measures aimed at individuals or entities responsible for serious human rights abuses. They are not the same as broad economic or financial sanctions against a country. These sanctions include travel bans and the freezing of assets of the targeted perpetrators, directly holding them accountable without penalising the country’s population. Unlike broad economic sanctions, which can affect a state’s economy and can have widespread implications for its citizens, targeted human rights sanctions focus solely on those directly implicated in human rights violations, aiming to deter future abuses and promote accountability.
Why are they needed?
International law grants all survivors of gross human rights violations the right to remedy and reparation, requiring states to uphold these rights. However, for North Korean survivors in exile, accessing these rights is particularly challenging due to limited avenues for remedy. While invoking the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction over crimes in North Korea is difficult due to the country's non-party status to the Rome Statute, realistic options for accountability include universal jurisdiction and criminal or civil cases. Among these, Magnitsky legislation is the most viable, as it combines political will with the rule of law, fostering state commitment to address human rights violations and ensure accountability.
What is Korea Future doing?
Our work focuses on documenting human rights violations, identifying perpetrators, and linking them to high-ranking officials. We provide verified information to governmental bodies and institutions, and, most importantly, build strong case files for submission under Magnitsky legislation to promote accountability and justice for survivors.