On Thursday, March 5, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) will host a seminar entitled “Attribution and Accountability: Evidence on China’s Forced Repatriation of North Koreans” at the Seoul Global Center. While prior discussions have largely focused on China’s compliance with the principle of non-refoulement, the scale of repatriations, and the crimes against humanity committed in North Korea following return, this seminar shifts attention to a granular analysis of the institutional framework underpinning forced repatriation.
NKDB’s latest research examines the specific authorities involved across both countries, including China’s Ministry of Public Security and North Korea’s Ministry of State Security and Ministry of Social Security. By mapping their organizational structures and coordination mechanisms, it seeks to facilitate more precise attribution of legal responsibility and to assess the practical and doctrinal limits of accountability. Such analysis includes whether Chinese officials could incur responsibility under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “aiding and abetting” crimes against humanity committed in North Korea.
Drawing on bilateral agreements, official Chinese documents, and 100+ interviews with North Korean victims and former officials, NKDB’s research underscores the structural and systematic character of the forced repatriation of North Koreans in China. The seminar will convene experts in international criminal law, international relations, human rights, and psychosocial support to examine the legal implications of these findings and avenues for holistic accountability and reform.
Click here to RSVP
International Conference Hall (9th Floor), Seoul Global Center 
Thursday, March 5, 14:00~16:20
On Thursday, March 5, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) will host a seminar entitled “Attribution and Accountability: Evidence on China’s Forced Repatriation of North Koreans” at the Seoul Global Center. While prior discussions have largely focused on China’s compliance with the principle of non-refoulement, the scale of repatriations, and the crimes against humanity committed in North Korea following return, this seminar shifts attention to a granular analysis of the institutional framework underpinning forced repatriation.
NKDB’s latest research examines the specific authorities involved across both countries, including China’s Ministry of Public Security and North Korea’s Ministry of State Security and Ministry of Social Security. By mapping their organizational structures and coordination mechanisms, it seeks to facilitate more precise attribution of legal responsibility and to assess the practical and doctrinal limits of accountability. Such analysis includes whether Chinese officials could incur responsibility under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for “aiding and abetting” crimes against humanity committed in North Korea.
Drawing on bilateral agreements, official Chinese documents, and 100+ interviews with North Korean victims and former officials, NKDB’s research underscores the structural and systematic character of the forced repatriation of North Koreans in China. The seminar will convene experts in international criminal law, international relations, human rights, and psychosocial support to examine the legal implications of these findings and avenues for holistic accountability and reform.
Click here to RSVP