The Czech Republic also asked, “What is the motive?”

In addition, there is a possibility that discussions in the European Union (EU) will also take place on the issue of excessive infringement of basic rights under the’Prohibition of Warfare Against North Korea Act’ (revised Inter-Korean Relations Development Act) enforced by the Democratic Party. The Korean government’s position in the international community is getting narrower.

According to the Voice of the United States (VOA) broadcast on the 31st, in an e-mail sent to the VOA, Director of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jujana Stichova said, “We analyzed the approved measures (the anti-warfare laws against North Korea), and their functions and motivations to implement them. “I asked (to Korea) about the question,” he said, “I think there will be a discussion on the law inside the EU soon.”

“The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs was notified of the approval of the anti-North Korea warfare ban, and communicated this issue with Korean representatives through diplomatic channels,” said Mr. Stikhova. “The promotion of human rights is an important priority of Czech foreign policy.” .

The Czech Republic is one of the few countries with embassies in Pyongyang. In the meantime, the Czech government has actively participated in the international community’s efforts to improve human rights in North Korea, urging North Korea to accept the recommendations of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in North Korea and supporting the adoption of the UN’s resolution on human rights in North Korea.

The criticism of the anti-North Korea warfare law is now spreading beyond the US to Europe and other free and democratic camps. Earlier in Europe, British Senator David Olton sent a letter urging Foreign Minister Dominique Rab to speak up on the issue. Ben Rogers, vice-chairman of the Conservative Human Rights Committee, also delivered a joint letter calling for a reconsideration of the promulgation of the bill.

In addition, the Belgian international human rights group’Human rights without borders’ and the German human rights group’People’ are also known to send letters to the EU leadership and their own foreign affairs departments requesting protests against the Korean government.

In particular, the EU has steadily paid attention to the human rights issue in North Korea. In 2001, when the EU established formal diplomatic relations with North Korea, it regularly brought the’human rights dialogue with the EU’. This human rights dialogue has ceased since 2003, but the EU has continued to make international efforts to improve human rights issues in North Korea, including leading the submission of North Korean human rights resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council every year.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We are grasping the post-war situation (with respect to the inquiry sent by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs). We are continuing to communicate the position of the South Korean government on the anti-North Korea warfare law to the international community, including the Czech Republic.” . The Ministry of Unification, which is the main ministry, said, “The explanation for the international community is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Meanwhile, President Moon Jae-in reapproved the anti-North Korea warfare ban on the 24th and promulgated it on the 29th. The law promulgated takes effect on March 30 next year, three months later. According to this law, if the inter-Korean agreement is violated by spreading leaflets, etc., it is subject to imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won. In the international community, including the US Congress, there are criticisms about this as a violation of excessive freedom of expression and excessive legislation.

Reporter Dayoung Kim [email protected]