The Council of the European Union imposed sanctions on North-Korea officials and entities thanks to Korea Future’s accountability work.
GENEVA, 22 July, 2024 – Justice Rapid Response (JRR) welcomes the Council of the European Union’s decision to impose sanctions on North Korea’s Minister of State Security, Ri Chang Dae, and the Onsong County Ministry of State Security Detention Centre in North Hamgyong Province.
JRR further wishes to congratulate the Seoul-based civil society organization (CSO) Korea Future for the key role it played in the Council’s decision. This is the first-ever instance where a CSO led a legal submission resulting in the sanctioning of North Korean officials or entities.
JRR was proud to contribute to building Korea Future’s capacity over the past years and to support the organization in the submission of a comprehensive dossier leading to the adoption of this new sanctions regime.
JRR experts worked with Korea Future to strengthen its documentation methodologies to meet international standards in relation to its accountability efforts, including its documentation of sexual and gender-based violence committed in the North Korean penal system.
This speaks to the credibility and the impact of CSOs involved in accountability efforts for international crimes and gross human rights violations.
JRR remains committed to lifting the whole justice system, including the work of CSOs such as Korea Future, and will continue doing so to promote the rights and access to justice of victims and survivors.
For more information, see Korea Future’s press release.