Korea Future Speaks at 10th Anniversary Conference of UN Commission of Inquiry

On April 16, Korea Future participated in an important conference in Buenos Aires marking the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The event, titled "Silent Suffering," was organised by the Embassies of the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Japan in Argentina and highlighted the persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in addressing impunity in the DPRK.

Hyeonsim Lee, Head of Accountability at Korea Future, presented alongside the UN Special Rapporteur, Elisabeth Salmón, and Ambassador Lee Shin-wha, among others, and emphasised the extensive role of the DPRK’s penal system in perpetrating human rights violations beyond the well-known political prison camps. She highlighted how Korea Future’s North Korean Prison Database has documented over 8,000 violations and identified more than 1,000 perpetrators, significantly enhancing the international community’s understanding of the DPRK’s penal system and opening new avenues for accountability and policy development.

Despite challenges for the international community in implementing the COI's recommendations, such as a referral to the International Criminal Court or establishing an ad hoc tribunal, Korea Future underlined other avenues for accountability. In March, Korea Future  effectively advocated for critical amendments to this year’s annual UN Human Rights Council resolution on the DPRK. Based on our  findings, this year’s resolution acknowledged for the first time the extensive human rights abuses across the DPRK’s penal system and the vulnerability of women in detention to sexual and gender-based violence, marking a significant advancement in opportunities for international accountability.

Furthermore, Lee discussed the use of Korea Future's evidence in submissions to  targeted human rights sanctions regimes as an effective tool against individual perpetrators in the DPRK. These targeted sanctions, distinct from broad economic sanctions, focus precisely on individuals or entities responsible for human rights violations, ensuring a focused and equitable approach to international sanctions.

Korea Future remains committed to using its documentation and legal expertise to strengthen accountability mechanisms and advocate for the rights of survivors. By participating in key discussions and leading advocacy efforts, Korea Future continues to seek to positively influence global policy and enhance international efforts to address human rights in the DPRK.