Seoul Presses Pyongyang for Information on South Korean Detainees

SEOUL: The South Korean government has called on North Korea to disclose information regarding the status and whereabouts of its citizens detained in the North, as part of a submission to the United Nations human rights office. This request comes ahead of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of North Korea's human rights record scheduled for next month. According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a questionnaire to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. This document specifically requests details about six South Korean nationals currently held in North Korea. Additionally, the questionnaire seeks information on measures taken by Pyongyang to prevent excessive punishment of children. This submission marks the first instance in 15 years that South Korea has presented a questionnaire in advance of a UPR session regarding North Korea. The UPR is a mechanism that requires each U.N. member state to undergo a peer assessment of its human righ ts record approximately every four and a half years. Member countries can address human rights concerns by submitting written inquiries before the review or by making recommendations during the session. In its statement, the South Korean foreign ministry emphasized its commitment to highlighting the serious human rights conditions in North Korea. By submitting both a questionnaire and recommendations, South Korea aims to draw renewed international focus on the issue.