Abductee families group files petition with rights watchdog

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- Families of South Korean abductees and prisoners of
war in North Korea on Tuesday lodged a petition with South Korea's rights
watchdog, arguing that the North violated the captives' human rights by refusing
to disclose information on their fate.
"North Korea's refusal to reveal information as to whether the abductees and war
prisoners are alive since the inter-Korean summit talks in 2000 infringed on
their human rights," said Choi Seong-yong, chairman of the Abductees' Family
Union, an organization of family members of South Koreans allegedly held in the
North.
"We demand that the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) urge the
North to disclose the fate of our families," he said.
This is the first North Korea-related petition filed before the watchdog since
its new chief, Hyun Byung-chul, took office in July. Hyun has vowed to work to
improve human rights conditions in North Korea.
"The fact that both North and South have only mentioned North Korean political
prisoners detained in South Korea is inhumane and unfair," Choi added.
Following the signing of a joint agreement that resulted from the 2000 summit
talks, 63 North Korean political prisoners held in the South were repatriated.
North Korea kidnapped hundreds of the South Korean citizens in the decades
following the 1950-53 Korean War, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry.
Officials estimate there are 540 South Korean prisoners of war still alive in the
North. Pyongyang denies holding any South Korean nationals against their will.
brk@yna.co.kr
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