In a significant diplomatic move, Julie Turner, the U.S. special envoy on North Korean human rights issues, is set to embark on a crucial visit to Tokyo and Seoul starting Monday, as announced by the State Department. The visit, extending through February 22, will see Turner engaging with government officials, activists, and North Korean defectors, highlighting the United States’ dedication to human rights promotion within North Korea.
The State Department’s news release on Friday emphasized that “Special Envoy Turner’s trip will underscore the U.S. commitment to promoting human rights in North Korea, increasing access to uncensored information within the closed country, and empowering survivor voices advocating for concrete change.”
Turner, who assumed the post in July of the previous year, fills a position that had remained vacant since 2017, reflecting a shift in U.S. priorities towards nuclear negotiations with North Korea during that period. However, President Joe Biden’s administration has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing human rights in foreign policy.
Despite this commitment, Turner faced criticism from Pyongyang, which denounced her as “wicked” and engaged in “mudslinging” following her appointment. As a Korean speaker and former director of the State Department’s Office of East Asia and the Pacific in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Turner’s visit signifies a renewed effort to address human rights issues in the region.