Read in Ukrainian
Read in Ukrainian
North Korea has been one of Russia’s key supporters in this conflict:
- Reportedly deploying at least 11,000 soldiers to strengthen its armed forces in 2024.
- According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, North Korea has supplied around 28,000 containers of weapons and artillery.
- According to South Korea’s military intelligence, North Korea has provided Russia with more than 12 million 152 mm artillery shells.
Among the issues discussed were legal challenges related to jurisdiction and immunities of state officials. Dmytro Koval, Co-Executive Director of Truth Hounds, emphasised that it would be ideal if a reputable international court, like the International Criminal Court for instance, qualify the involvement of North Korean leadership in the war in Ukraine as a crime of aggression. But the ICC doesn’t have jurisdiction over the crime of aggression committed by Russian or North Korean citizens. Due to the so-called “troika” immunity, sitting heads of state, heads of government, and ministers of foreign affairs – including Kim Jong Un – are protected from foreign criminal jurisdiction while in office.
Organisers: Truth Hounds and Transitional Justice Working Group.
Co-hosts: The Center for International Studies of the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University, Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Seoul, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, Embassy of Luxembourg in Seoul, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Seoul, in cooperation with the International Renaissance Foundation.
Therefore, a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine could help fill the accountability gap left by the ICC, noted Choi Tae Hyun, Professor Emeritus at Hanyang University School of Law. Hubert Younghwan Lee, Executive Director of the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), highlighted the potential role of Kim Yo Jong, director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), stating that questions of individual criminal responsibility depend on her role in supporting the aggression against Ukraine.
The discussion emphasised the importance of South Korea’s involvement in initiatives aimed at holding North Korea and Russia accountable for their actions. Jernej Müller, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Korea, underlined the importance of accountability in maintaining the international legal order.