The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recommended that the Minister of the Ministry of Unification ensure procedural legitimacy—such as fully gathering the views of those concerned and conducting a public deliberation process—when pushing to change the term "North Korean defectors."
According to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the 2nd, a North Korean defector identified as A said the Ministry of Unification excluded the person from a public opinion survey on changing the term to "northward citizens" conducted in September last year, and filed a petition saying that despite survey results showing an overwhelming majority against changing the term, the government is pressing ahead with the change to "northward citizens."
The Ministry of Unification told the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that the term "northward citizens" was pursued as part of a policy review to ease negative perceptions and stigma toward North Korean defectors and to promote social integration. It also said it went through various procedures to gather opinions, including commissioned research, expert consultations, meetings with groups, and public opinion surveys.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), however, dismissed the petition on the grounds that the change to "northward citizens" falls within the Ministry of Unification's policy discretion and is not appropriate for determining a human rights violation.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) nevertheless saw problems in the Ministry of Unification's process of pushing the name change. First, according to the ministry's perception survey, more than half (53.4%) of North Korean defectors—the stakeholders—responded that it was unnecessary. In preferences for alternative terms, "other" (30.3%) ranked first, followed by "free citizens" (28.1%) and "northward citizens" (18.8%). Most respondents who chose "other" said they wanted to keep the term "North Korean defectors."
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that, given these survey results, it is difficult to assess that sufficient consensus was secured with North Korean defectors—the stakeholders—on changing the term to "northward citizens."
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) assessed that opinions opposing the change to "northward citizens" exist, citing: ▲ the fact that many organizations related to North Korean defectors released opposing views ▲ the fact that the People Power Party, the country's No. 2 party, issued an opposing commentary ▲ the fact that a bill was introduced to mandate procedures for collecting opinions from North Korean defectors and relevant experts when establishing basic and implementation plans related to North Korean defectors.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) pointed out that "even though it is difficult to say that the opinions of North Korean defectors—the stakeholders—were gathered or that sufficient consent was secured, the ministry is already using the term 'northward citizens,' either alone or alongside it, on its website and at various events, instead of 'North Korean defectors,' the term under current law."
It added, "A name is an important factor that affects the identity and sense of honor of the stakeholders," and said, "The government needs to gather the opinions of North Korean defectors—the stakeholders—and respect their wishes so they are reflected in future related legal amendments or policy implementation."