Will North Korean Human Rights Take Center Stage in Washington?

Kudos to the Joongang Ilbo’s Washington correspondent, Brian Lee, whose report on the State Department’s human rights report goes beyond summaries and bullet points and actually tells us a few things we didn’t already know.

Freedom House, which had done much to keep human rights on the table in our Cold War-era talks with the Soviets, is going to receive $1.7 million to put together a conference on North Korea next year. They’re already hunting for a Director and a Program Officer, by the way, and if you think you’re qualified, then by all means, apply.

Second, we learn of the rising prominence of Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, about whom you can learn much, much more here. She held the press conference announcing the report (nice, user friendly version online here), stating in no uncertain terms that it should be viewed in light of “President’s Bush’s forward strategy of freedom.” What even the Joongang didn’t tell us is that in her very brief opening remarks, Secretary Dobriansky singled out “North Korea and Burma, [where] citizens languish under repressive regimes which do not govern for their people but rather against them.” She closes with these words:

This report is the embodiment of President Bush’s commitment that the United States will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who live in tyranny and hopelessness and struggle for a better life. Our message to these true patriots of their nations is that you are not ignored and you are not forgotten. Furthermore, we will not excuse those who are responsible for your oppression. The months ahead will see intensive efforts by this Administration to advance the President’s bold agenda to support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture. In this journey, our principles–our commitment to freedom and the rights of individuals–are our compass. These reports are our map.

It’s at least partial consolation for the departure of John Bolton. Madeleine Albright was not available for comment.

The Joongang report also mentions the report’s expression of concern about how South Korea’s new media-control law will affect a free press (given the obvious fact that it’s focused exclusively on media that are critical of the administration).