Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack are set to visit the Republic of Korea from October 7-11, 2024. During their stay in Seoul, they will co-host a strategic workshop on accountability for human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). This event is organized by the Center for Justice and Accountability with funding from the State Department’s Office of Global Criminal Justice.
Beyond the workshop, Ambassadors Turner and Van Schaack will engage with South Korean government officials, civil society leaders, and North Korean escapees. These meetings aim to reinforce "the U.S. commitment to holding the DPRK accountable for its human rights violations and abuses," as well as supporting "the North Korean defector and escapee community" while promoting "a survivor-centered approach to justice."
The ambassadors will also stress "the importance of multilateral cooperation to raise awareness of and address the ongoing human rights abuses in the DPRK." The United States continues its efforts with allies such as South Korea to ensure that the voices of North Korean escapees are amplified and their stories acknowledged.
