The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) decided to express an opinion to the effect that it should support the entry into Korea of two North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine.
According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the 14th, the plenary committee the previous day discussed the "recommendation for humanitarian measures for the protection of life, physical safety, and mental health of North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine and their entry into the Republic of Korea," and voted to "express an opinion" to the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it would "express an opinion to the Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protect and improve the life, physical safety, and mental health of North Korean prisoners of war detained in Ukraine," and emphasized, "Ensure that the prisoners of war are not forcibly repatriated against their will, and, by respecting their free will, actively pursue all necessary diplomatic efforts to enable safe and swift entry into the Republic of Korea, among other destinations."
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) initially discussed a "recommendation," but adjusted the level of formality to an expression of opinion in consideration of diplomatic circumstances. Matters on which the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expresses an opinion do not have legal binding force, but the commission can check and inspect the implementation status and make the results public.
At the plenary committee, international conflict producer Kim Young-mi, who met and interviewed two North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine, appeared as a reference witness. Producer Kim said the North Korean prisoners of war "made it clear that if they cannot go to Korea, they have no choice but to die," and noted that "their intention to go to Korea is firm."