Sylvia Fernandez (left), president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se at the Government Complex Seoul on April 4. (Yonhap News)
By <font color="#0070c0">Jin Li </font>and <font color="#0070c0">Kim Young Shin</font>
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se held a meeting with Silvia Fernandez, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to help boost collaboration between Korea and the ICC.
“The Korean government’s priority is the realization of international criminal justice and the maintenance of international peace through the rule of law,” said Minister Yun. “Korea intends to remain in close cooperation with the ICC in this regard.”
“Korea played a leading role in the founding of the ICC,” he said. “Going forward, Korea will seek closer cooperation with the ICC.”
Minister Yun also called the attention of the ICC to the human rights issues in North Korea, saying, “There has been a growing call from the international community, including the U.N. General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, over the years to ensure accountability for the human rights situation in North Korea, such as by referring it to the ICC.”
President Fernandez expressed his appreciation to Korea, one of the ICC’s main member states, for supporting the organization’s activities since its foundation. She said, ”I hope that the two sides will continue to step up cooperation and that that, in turn, will help further expand the ICC’s role.”
jinli01@korea.kr