The Ministry of Unification to the United Nations to “look in balance” … ‘I regret’ for the recommendation to reconsider the ‘Prohibition of war against North Korea

Entry 2020.12.17 16:00 | Revision 2020.12.17 16:42

Immediately reject Quintana’s “review required” statement
“Limited expression of a small number for public safety in many border areas”
“Revised for democratic discussion in the National Assembly, the representative organization of the people”
The congressional discussion process is far from being a ‘democratic discussion’
與, the External Commission only processes … The filibuster is forced to close.

The Unification Ministry regretted on the 17th that North Korea’s UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Thomas Ohea Quintana, recommended reconsideration of North Korea’s War Prohibition Law (Development Law Amendment of Inter-Korean Relations). It is unusual for the government to express regret for responsible United Nations personnel.

In the position data distributed to reporters on this day, the Unification Ministry official said: “The law was revised through discussion and democratic deliberation in accordance with the constitution and the procedures established by the Constitution and the law by the National Assembly. , which is a representative body of the public “. “We regret that Rapporteur Kintana mentioned ‘the need for a proper review of democratic institutions.’

The official also said: “The Quintana rapporteur must have a balanced view of the fact that (this law) has limited the mode of expression of a few to the minimum to protect the life and safety of many cross-border citizens.” Regarding the controversy over the violation of freedom of expression, he said: “To protect freedom of expression and at the same time protect the life and safety of people in the border region, the legislature has limited the form of expression to a minimum. , taking into account the precedents “.

Rapporteur Quintana, in a comment sent to Free Asia Broadcasting (RFA) the day before, recommended that the democratic institutions involved reconsider the amendment in accordance with appropriate procedures before enforcing (this law).

He noted that the prohibition of the war against North Korea was “to impose strict restrictions on the activities of many North Korean defectors and civil society groups that try to involve the North Korean people in various fields.” “These activities are protected by freedom of expression in accordance with article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he said. “All residents of South and North Korea enjoy the right to exchange information and ideas regardless of borders.” He also noted that “punishing with a maximum of three years in prison may undermine the principle of prohibition of overexploitation.

The Unification Ministry said that “the law was revised through democratic discussions and deliberations in the National Assembly,” regarding the prohibition of the war against North Korea, but this is not the case when looking at the process of the law. Furthermore, on the 2nd, the Democratic Party handled the prohibition of the war against North Korea on the 2nd by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, amidst opposition. The power of the people and the members of the National Assembly left the group just before the vote. When the bill was presented to the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 13th, the opposition party implemented obstructionism (interfering with legitimate parliamentary conduct through unlimited discussions).

However, criminal rights like the Democratic Party forcibly ended it in one day. Ho-young Joo, the leader of the people’s power, said he would act as the last speaker before the enforced termination of the obstructionism by the ruling party. Representative Joo said, “The opposition party requested obstructionism, but it is very difficult to get 30 minutes of speaking time. He said: “President Moon Jae-in destroyed democracy in the name of democracy,” he said. “In history, it will continue to be a force that destroyed democracy and the rule of law in Korea.”

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha also said on CNN: “Freedom of expression is a very important human right, but it is not absolute” and “may be restricted”, in response to criticism from some representatives of the State House of Representatives. United on the prohibition of the war against North Korea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its position to communicate with the international community, including Rapporteur Quintana, on this issue. Foreign Ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said in a regular briefing on the day that “the government guarantees freedom of expression as much as possible.” He reaffirmed the government’s position. “The government will continue to communicate with the international community, including the United Nations, such as the Kintana Special Rapporteur.”