The U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues, Julie Turner, will be visiting Tokyo and Seoul from Monday as announced by the State Department. The trip will last until Feb. 22 and will involve meetings with government officials, activists, and North Korean defectors, according to a news release on the department’s website. The purpose of Special Envoy Turner’s trip is to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to promoting human rights in North Korea, increasing access to uncensored information within the closed country, and empowering survivor voices advocating for concrete change.
It is worth noting that Turner assumed the post in July last year after it had been vacant since 2017, with the United States focusing more on bringing North Korea to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme during the period the posting was unfilled. However, President Joe Biden has pledged that human rights would be at the core of his foreign policy, indicating a shift in focus.
It is interesting to highlight that Pyongyang criticized Turner – who is a Korean speaker and former director of the State Department’s Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor – as “wicked” and “mudslinging” after she was appointed to the position. This indicates the contentious nature of the appointment and the tension between the U.S. and North Korea on human rights issues.
The visit by Julie Turner highlights the importance of addressing human rights concerns in North Korea and signifies the Biden administration’s prioritization of these issues. It also serves as an opportunity to engage with government officials, activists, and defectors to gain a deeper understanding of the situation on the ground and to amplify survivor voices advocating for change.
The trip to Tokyo and Seoul is a significant diplomatic move as it signals the willingness of the U.S. to engage with regional stakeholders on North Korean human rights issues. This outreach demonstrates a comprehensive approach by the U.S. to address these issues and underscores the importance of international cooperation in promoting human rights in North Korea.
Overall, Julie Turner’s visit to Tokyo and Seoul reflects the U.S. commitment to advancing human rights in North Korea and working towards tangible change. It also signifies a renewed focus on these issues under the Biden administration, emphasizing the importance of human rights in U.S. foreign policy.
(Reporting by Kevin Buckland in Tokyo; Editing by William Mallard and Tom Hogue)
