What Has Happened So Far?
The fate of US detainees held in North Korea has caused serious concern for many experts. Most consider the situation to be a major human rights issue and have consistently called for the release of all prisoners. In recent years, the US government and other human rights activists have been actively engaging with the North Korean government to secure the release of all US citizens detained there.
The US State Department notes that between 2009 and 2017, a total of 15 US citizens have been detained by North Korea. In 2018, 3 of these detainees – Kim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song, and Tony Kim – were released on humanitarian grounds. Further, in 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly informed US President Donald Trump that they would no longer be detaining any US citizens.
Reactions to the Release of US Detainees
The release of the US detainees has been well-received by the international community. In particular, former US Vice President Joe Biden described the move as “proof of the deep collective commitment to human rights and the pressing importance of diplomacy.”
Many charities and human rights organizations have also expressed their support for the release of US detainees. For instance, Amnesty International hailed the move as “a sign of respect from the North Korean government for the universal human rights of individuals”. Similarly, Human Rights Watch welcomed the decision as a step towards greater respect for human rights in North Korea.
Analyzing the Impact of Diplomacy
The release of US detainees from North Korea is a testament to the power of diplomacy. It demonstrates the success of protracted and persistent negotiations between the US and North Korea over the last several years. In particular, the move can be attributed in part to US President Donald Trump’s historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2018.
The move has also further strengthened US-North Korean relations, which have been relatively warm in recent years compared to the global consensus on North Korea. The improved rapport between the two parties can also possibly facilitate further negotiations, especially on the denuclearization of North Korea.
The Role of International Pressure
Experts have argued that the release of US detainees from North Korea was, at least in part, due to international pressure exerted on the country by leading world powers. The United Nations has repeatedly censured the North Korean government for its human rights abuses and has urged it to release all political prisoners.
Further, the release can also be attributed to economic pressure exerted by the US. Last year, the US imposed sanctions on three high-ranking North Korean officials for their role in human rights abuses. These sanctions were considered a message that the US was not going to tolerate any mistreatment of American citizens.
Perspectives from North Korean Officials
The North Korean government has attributed the release of US detainees to its commitment to protecting the human rights of its citizens. In a statement, a high-ranking North Korean official proclaimed that, “North Korea will continue to treat all prisoners with their due rights under the law and international conventions, without exception.”
However, the statement did not mention any specific detainees and if the commitment covers political prisoners as well. This has led to some speculation that the North Korean government is trying to shift the narrative away from its prison camps and has no real intention of granting prisoners their rights.
Implications of US Detainees’ Release
While the release of US detainees from North Korea is a positive story, it has also highlighted the larger issue of human rights abuses in the country. International organizations, such as the United Nations, have accused the North Korean government of egregious human rights violations and of arbitrarily imprisoning and torturing political prisoners.
Given this context, the release of US detainees may be seen as a sign of North Korea giving precedence to the US over its own citizens. This has raised a few eyebrows, with some political commentators drawing attention to the larger problem of North Korea’s human rights abuses and how it serves to distract from the issue.
Strategic Angle to the Release?
The release of US detainees from North Korea has raised some questions about the strategic angle to the policy. While analysts believe the release was primarily driven by diplomatic pressure exerted by the US, some have argued that there may be more to the move than meets the eye.
In particular, there is speculation that the release may be part of a larger strategy to create goodwill between the US and North Korea. By releasing the detainees, North Korea appears to be sending a positive message to the US and may be hoping to leverage the situation to secure relief from economic sanctions and gain improved access to international aid and development funds.
US Citizens Who Remain Detained
In spite of the release of US detainees, a number of US citizens continue to remain imprisoned in North Korea. These individuals were reportedly arrested on charges related to espionage or illegal entry and their current locations are not known.
The US State Department has issued travel advisories informing citizens of the risks of travelling to North Korea. Moreover, it has urged US citizens in the country to leave if at all possible and discouraged citizens from travelling in the first place.
Public Opinion on the Move
The recent release of US detainees from North Korea has been widely welcomed by the American public. Many consider the move to be a sign of the two countries’ growing rapport and feel that it is a positive development in the relationship.
At the same time, some feel that the move might be cynically motivated and that it serves to draw attention away from North Korea’s other human rights abuses. There is also the worry that the prisoners who remain in detention may not be released anytime soon.
Implications of the Release Outside the US?
The implications of the release of US detainees from North Korea may extend beyond US borders as well. Supporters of the move have argued that it could carry a positive message to other countries as well, especially those engaged in a similar process of negotiations with North Korea.
For instance, China, South Korea, and Japan have all called upon North Korea to release their citizens detained in the country. The release of US detainees may represent progress towards the realisation of these goals and provide a valuable example for other countries.
Elements of Pragmatism at Work
The recent release of US detainees from North Korea may represent strategic elements of pragmatism at work. It appears as if the leaders of both countries were determined to preserve their respective reputations by not allowing the detainee issue to become an obstacle in the diplomatic process.
The move also appears to be a win-win situation for both countries. For the US, it provides the much-needed conclusion to a difficult human rights issue and allows them to focus their energy on broader issues of global importance. As for North Korea, it serves to bolster the prestige of the country and allows it to address the international community on more equal footing.
