Only 14% of lawmakers reply to survey on N. Korean human rights act

A survey of 293 ruling and opposition lawmakers on the North Korean human rights bill failed to take place effectively because only 42 lawmakers, or 14 percent of them, responded to the survey. Although both ruling and opposition parties have claimed that they would pass the bill in the extraordinary session of the National Assembly in April, some say that passing the bill is practically impossible.

“Citizens’ Gathering for the Right North Korean Human Rights Act” said on Tuesday that it postponed the release of the survey result indefinitely as the response rate was very low. It had requested surveys three times to lawmakers. The organization, which was launched last year, is consisted of some 60 civic groups related to North Korean human rights.

The survey comprised of five questions around the North Korean human rights bill and key issues. Only 35 lawmakers of the ruling Saenuri Party and seven of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy responded to the survey. As many as 78 lawmakers said they would not respond to the survey at all.

“We sent a survey via email to lawmakers to learn the different perspectives of ruling and opposition lawmakers on the North Korean human rights bill and find a compromise. We also explained them our intention several times over the phone and requested their response. However, it was of no use,” Kim Tae-hoon, head of the gathering, said in a telephone interview with the Dong-A Ilbo. “Lawmakers called for legislating a North Korean human rights bill but it was all talk but no action.”

The U.S. legislated a North Korean human rights act in 2004 and Japan legislated and passed one in 2006. A North Korean human rights bill was sponsored in Korea in 2005 but it has been pending at the National Assembly for a decade due to the different views between ruling and opposition parties.

jkim@donga.com