Blingen meets Eui-yong, unexpectedly remarks “Confront North Korean human rights violations

Foreign Minister Eui-yong Eui-yong (right) and US Secretary of State Tony Blingen are taking commemorative photos before the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Doryeom-dong, Seoul on the afternoon of the 17th. [뉴스1]

At the US-Korea Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the 17th, US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln discussed human rights violations by the North Korean regime, China’s violations of Hong Kong’s autonomy and human rights violations in Xinjiang, saying, “We must face such oppression. I hope we can achieve a common perspective with Korea.” It does not hide that the purpose of this visit is to send a message saying,’I hope Korea also confronts China’ through the first meeting of the ROK-US foreign ministers held by the administration of Joe Biden.

In a talk with Foreign Minister Eui-yong Eui-yong held at 6:30 pm on the same day, Minister Blincoln said, “We are witnessing dangerous scenes that are eroding democracy around the world.” “China is trying to systematically destroy Hong Kong’s autonomy in coercive and aggressive ways, undermining democracy in Taiwan, violating human rights in Tibet and Xinjiang, and claiming maritime sovereignty in violation of international law in the South China Sea.” He pointed to China.

It was agreed in advance to disclose all remarks to the media on that day. The fact that Minister Blincoln, who knows this well, hits China directly in all remarks can be seen as an indication of his intention to take the matters seriously in his visit to Korea.

Blincoln, Kim Jong-un pulls out the most reluctant human rights

Secretary Blincoln also raised the North Korean human rights issue, which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is most reluctant to do. He stressed that “North Korea’s totalitarian regime continues to promote systematic and widespread human rights violations against North Koreans.” “We must defend basic rights and freedoms. “We have to face those who oppress it.” ‘Organized and widespread human rights violations’ is an expression written in the 2014 UN Committee on Human Rights Investigation of North Korea (COI) report, which effectively stated Kim Jong-un as in charge, and recommended that North Korea’s human rights situation be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Secretary Blincoln also made it clear that he wants South Korea to participate. “We hope to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, a shared view for human rights, democracy, and rule of law (with Korea).” If Korea is a country with principles that protect democracy and universal values, it is a pressure to share this view.

“For decades, the ROK-US alliance has been a bastion of regional security, and our task is to strengthen, as well as maintain, the alliance,” Blincoln said. By doing so, it lays the foundation for the decades to come,” he said. “That’s why we are here today.”

The diplomat’s view is that the level of Blincoln’s remarks on this day is higher than expected. This is because there were many observations that the Biden administration, which emphasized the restoration of the alliance in the first place, would not openly discuss an agenda that would reveal disagreements at the first meeting of the meeting. In particular, Korea has not even expressed its proper position on human rights issues such as Hong Kong and Xinjiang, taking into account inter-Korean relations and Korea-China relations. The government did not participate in the joint proposal of the draft North Korean human rights resolution by the UN Human Rights Council for the third consecutive year this year. However, Minister Blincoln suggested that we respond together to the human rights abuses of the North Korean regime.

In all remarks, the temperature difference between the two sides was not an exaggeration to say that the two sides had completely different stories. “The ROK-US alliance is the foundation of our diplomacy and the core axis of peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia and the world,” said Minister Chung. He emphasized. However, Blincoln not only criticized the human rights situation in North Korea, but also cited North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs as a major threat. “North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile program is a common threat,” he said. “We will work together with other allies and partners, including South Korea and Japan, to denuclearize North Korea.” As if conscious of this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release after the meeting, “The two ministers moved to the office of the minister for further discussions on the issue of the Korean Peninsula 80 minutes after the expanded talks and held a single meeting with only one official present for 25 minutes.” Revealed.

The media notice released by the US State Department on that day after the talks contained more refined expression than all of Blincoln’s remarks. There was no direct mention of China or North Korea.

Blincoln and Austin to prevent President Moon today

US Defense Secretary Austin also mentioned South Korea’s participation in China’s containment, as expected, at the meeting of the defense ministers of the two countries, which was held for the first time since the inauguration of the Biden government. In all remarks, he said, “The ROK-US alliance is a key axis of peace, security, and prosperity in Northeast Asia, the free and open Indo-Pacific region, and the world.” It’s more important than when.” The expression’China’s threat’ is the first statement in the mouth of the defense minister who has visited Korea.

On the 18th, the two ministers are scheduled to prevent President Moon Jae-in from going to the Korea-US Foreign Affairs and Defense (2+2) Ministers’ Meeting, a joint press conference, and the 11th Korea-US Defense Cost Sharing Special Agreement (SMA).

Reporters Chuljae Lee, Jihye Yoo, Sangjin Kim [email protected]