Unification Spokesperson’s Statement  on the Opinion Adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Calling for the Immediate Release of  Missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil

March 14, 2025

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) adopted an opinion on March 13 stating that the North’s detention of missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil constitutes arbitrary detention. The opinion is published and made public on the WGAD website.

The UN Working Group concluded that the deprivation of liberty of these missionaries violates relevant articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Working Group requested the North to immediately release the missionaries, provide compensation and other reparations, ensure an independent investigation, and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of their rights, all in accordance with international law.

The ROK Government has continuously urged the North to immediately return missionaries Kim Jung-wook, Kim Kook-kie and Choi Chun-gil, who have been illegally detained for over a decade. It has also worked with the international community to resolve this issue.

The adoption of this opinion by the UN Working Group is an official confirmation by the international community that the North’s detention of these individuals is a clear violation of international law.

The ROK Government strongly condemns North Korea’s illegal actions once again, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of our nationals.

The North must take seriously the grave warning conveyed through the opinion adopted by the UN Working Group, accept the demands of the international community, and implement them without delay.

The ROK Government, while continuing to prioritize the protection of our nationals, will clearly convey to the North its firm commitment to the immediate release of the three missionaries. The Government will also strive to resolve the issue as soon as possible by cooperating with countries including the U.S. and U.K., as well as international religious organizations and groups.

* Unofficial translation