The office urged attention to the issue to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance, which was observed on Saturday. The day aims to raise awareness of people who have gone missing against their will, highlight the suffering of their families, and call for action to stop such crimes.
"Today we stand in solidarity with the victims of this most heinous crime," said James Heenan, the office's representative. "Just as families can never forget their disappeared loved ones, we must never forget their plight nor give up seeking truth and accountability," he added.
The office highlighted a 2023 report titled "These wounds do not heal." The report described long-running cases of people who went missing because of actions by the North. These included the detention of its own citizens, the abduction of South Koreans during and after the Korean War, the failure to return prisoners of war, and the kidnapping of Japanese and other foreign nationals, especially women.
The report urged North Korea to investigate all cases fairly, find out what happened to the missing, return the remains of those who passed away, and release people detained for political reasons. It further urged Pyongyang to provide effective reparations to victims and their families.
"The office underscores the urgent need to uphold the rights of all victims including their families. With many of them now of advanced age, a resolution of this issue is imperative," it added.
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