Seoul: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has expressed deep concern over the estimated tens of thousands of sailors stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Iran conflict, while also calling for continued engagement on North Korea's human rights situation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, in an exclusive interview conducted in Seoul, Turk emphasized that the plight of seafarers trapped in the strategically vital waterway should take precedence over geopolitical interests. He highlighted figures from the International Maritime Organization estimating that around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf region due to the closure of the strait. Turk underscored the imperative of protecting these seafarers, who he referred to as the backbone of the economic system.
Turk reiterated that international law is explicit about the treatment of civilian sailors, recalling the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of seafarers were stranded aboard ships. He urged all parties involved in the ongoing conflict to facilitate the safe disembarkation of the stranded sailors. Addressing the recent explosion involving a South Korean commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Turk condemned attacks against civilian maritime infrastructure, citing international humanitarian law.
On the topic of North Korea, Turk described Pyongyang's human rights conditions as "extremely, extremely dire," noting that some areas have worsened over the past decade. Despite the grim situation, Turk pointed out "cracks of light" with North Korea's engagement with U.N. treaty bodies. He stressed that human rights and engagement with North Korea should be seen as complementary goals, not conflicting ones.
Turk confirmed discussions with South Korean officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, on the North Korean human rights issue. He emphasized the humanitarian perspective of engagement efforts, such as family reunions and exchanges of letters between separated relatives. Turk also mentioned the upcoming visit of a North Korean women's football team to South Korea, viewing it as an opportunity to build confidence.
In his visit to Seoul, Turk met with North Korean escapees, hearing firsthand accounts of separated families and human trafficking. He shared a poignant story of a woman who has limited contact with her sister still in North Korea, underscoring the heartbreaking nature of these separations.
Addressing South Korea's own human rights landscape, Turk called for the adoption of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, which has been debated for over two decades. He argued that such legislation would help address inequality and strengthen protections for minorities, migrants, and the LGBTQ community.
Turk's visit to South Korea marks the first by a U.N. high commissioner for human rights since 2015. During his meetings with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and other officials, Turk praised South Korea as a strategic partner and expressed his desire to enhance bilateral cooperation.