방북 한국인의 신변안전 및 인권보호 강화문제

Abstract

A female South Korean tourist visiting Mt. Geumgang and taking a walk peacefully around the tourism site was shot and killed by a North Korean soldier back in June 2008. Now this shooting incident not only has become a major cause of deadlock between the South and the North, but also offers an opportunity to discuss again effective measures for securing personal safety of South Koreans visiting North Korea and protecting their human rights. In short, we should persuade North Korea into making a provision in the relevant laws to the effect that soldiers should not shoot or murder any unarmed civilians in the tourism area near the Korean Demilitarized Zone(DMZ). In case North Korean laws and regulations are violated by a South Korean visitor, we should have a right to investigate the facts in order that proper responsible actions may be followed by the authorities concerned of North Korea. In particular, we should specify what "severe violation of laws and regulations" are in the application of the Inter-Korean Agreement on Immigration Control and Stay in North Korea. Organizing a South-North Joint Committee will be a necessary to accomplish these tasks. In addition, when North Korea investigate alleged violations of its laws and regulations perpetrated by South Koreans, the South Korean government should work out their human rights protection strengthening measures.