미국의 제이 레프코위츠 북한인권특사는 미국과 북한과의 관계 정상화는 북한 주민들의 인권 개선없이는 불가능하며 이 같은 원칙은 다음 미국 행정부가 들어와도 변하지 않을 것이라면서 자신이 지난 13일부터 14일 까지 개성 공단을 방문 하려 했던 목적은 북한 주민들의 인권과 근로자들의 권리 등에 북한이 논의할 준비가 돼있는지를 알고 싶었던 것라고 밝혔습니다. 따라서 자신의 개성 방문을 북한측이 거부한데 대해 적지 않게 놀랐다고 실망감을 감추지 못했습니다.
레프코위츠 특사는 특히 북한 주민들의 인권 문제와 아울러 북한이 얼마나 투명성을 갖느냐 하는 것도 앞으로 미국과 북한과의 정상화에 있어서 필요한 것이라고 자유아시아 방송과의 인터뷰에서 강조했습니다.
[Jay Lefkowitz] Latest questions about they truly ready to talk about human rights, labor rights and certainly United States these issues of being necessary and step toward normalization of relations, transparency what they have in country is very important factor.
I was really very surprised frankly. They rejected not only my request also South Korean government requests to allow visiting. I can't imagine why they deny me an opportunity to visit because its program in Kae-Sung is really productive program that creating good opportunity to North and South Korean to have dialogue.
레프코위츠 대북 인권 담당 특사는 북한 주민들의 인권도 존중하지 않는 북한이 이웃 나라 국민들의 생명을 존중할리 만무하기 때문에 동북아 평화는 핵의 해결은 물론이고 북한 주민들의 인권 개선 없이는 불가능하며 바로 이런 이유에서 부시 미국 대통령은 한국 방문에서 북한의 인권개선을 한국측과의 공동성명에서 강조한 것이라고 설명했습니다.
[Jay Lefkowitz] Long term security of North East Asia, depends not only resolving nuclear issue, but also improving the well-being North Korean. Regime threats the people because government don't respect the lives of own citizen, really don't respect the lives of neighbors.
레프코위츠 특사는 미국과 직접대화를 원하는 북한은 미국과의 모든 관계 개선의 전면에는 바로 북한 주민들의 인권 개선이 자리하고 있다는 점을 북한은 제대로 알아야 한다고 강조했습니다. 레프코위츠 특사는 올 가을 개성공단을 방문해 북한 근로자들을 직접 만나 그들의 근로조건과 처우등에 대해 대화할 것이며 북한은 미국과의 관계 정상화를 원한다면 이 같은 자신의 노력을 거부하지 말아야 한다는 점을 시사했습니다.
[Jay Lefkowitz] Yes. I hope to have opportunity to visit Korea in the fall. If I do, I will once again request permission travel to North Korea because I really think that North Korean would like to engage directly with United States. On broader issue, ultimately with goal, having some type of normalization of relation, having a dialogue, address Human Right issue is important to step.
레프코위츠 특사는 과거 한국의 정부들은 북한의 인권문제를 다루기를 원하지 않았으며 현재의 이명박 정부는 북한 인권문제에 있어 괄목한만한 변화를 가져왔다고 평했습니다.
[Jay Lefkowitz] The South Korean government in the past that have not wanted to address the human rights issue much, but on the president Lee this been a very significant very welcome changing attitude. I think it is very important to step on right direction.
레프코위츠 특사는 오는 11월 미국 대통령 선거를 통해 새 행정부가 출범하더라도 북한과의 관계 개선은 북한 주민의 인권 개선에 달렸다는 점을 북한은 잊지 말아야 한다고 덧붙였습니다.
Jay Lefkowitz (제이 레프코위츠) 북한인권특사 인터뷰 전문
What's the reason of your cancellation to visit Korea suddenly?
[Jay Lefkowitz] Well, I really hope to have the opportunity to visit Kae-Sung. The regime official at Kae-Sung initially rejected application. After that we could consider; it really wasn't till Sunday. We understood we are not accessed. That is really been primary reason I would be traveling, I was moved toward next page of dialogue with North Korean, one of things that we want to have any opportunity to move toward a dialogue eventually normalization of relations.
Obviously feelings with North Korean comply with there, obligation on the nuclear issue, but having exposure to there join economic project in Kae-Sung. I thought it is good opening step, I was really eager to see the project. Although obviously skepticism about it, I would prepare to look at it with very open mind. But I am, unfortunately, obviously they didn't want to allow me to coming visit.
Do you mean, was it reason that rejection of your visit North Korea to cancel visiting South Korea?
[Jay Lefkowitz] I think there are always good reasons to travel to South Korea. I think, I may look to find opportunity to go to South Korea. I had number of discussions with senior, South Korean officials including just few weeks; talking about fast forward and obviously the new government in South Korea. I think we share very much same common values and objectives with respect North Korea. I think there are a lot of common ground right now between United States and South Korea. You can see obviously from joint statement that President Bush and President Lee made, I certainly can see that on my discussion with South Korean officials.
What do you think North Korea's rejection on your visit?
[Jay Lefkowitz] Well… this was very simple request that may certainly allow visiting Kae-Sung. They would schedule to allow me to visit. Latest questions about they truly ready to talk about human rights, labor rights and certainly United States these issues of being necessary and step toward normalization of relations, transparency what they have in country is very important factor.
I was really very surprised frankly. They rejected not only my request also South Korean government requests to allow visiting. I can't imagine why they deny me an opportunity to visit because its program in Kae-Sung is really productive program that creating good opportunity to North and South Korean to have dialogue.
What did you like to do or see when you visit Kae-Sung Industrial Zone?
[Jay Lefkowitz] I was hoping to really assist true level of interaction between North and South Korean workers. I wanted to see and talk with North Korean workers to find out what their experience was and suddenly interested in the working condition that they have how their working condition compare to the working condition about North Korean…I have been very interested in simply exploring how this project is working.
Can you comment on Bush administration's perspective on North Korean Human rights issue?
[Jay Lefkowitz] I think the President (Bush) states very clear perspective of North Korean human rights, you can see that from joint statement. President Bush and President Lee issued in White House and blue house, those are achieved to understand that this is important issue.
Long term security of North East Asia, depends not only resolving nuclear issue, but also improving the well-being North Korean. Regime threats the people because government don't respect the lives of own citizen, really don't respect the lives of neighbors. I keep both president Bush and President Lee realize and understand human rights of North. It is a hurdle that have to be clear successfully before unification, if possible.
Recently, South Korean government emphasizes the human rights of North Korean. The Do you have a comment on that?
[Jay Lefkowitz] The South Korean government in the past that have not wanted to address the human rights issue much; but on the president Lee this been a very significant, very welcome changing attitude. I think it is very important to step on right direction. We (United States) have been alone. It is very welcomed step of South Korean government also address North Korean Human right issue in the same way
How's you been on your works for North Korean human rights at George W. Bush Administration?
[Jay Lefkowitz] Well…working for President Bush in a number of different capacities, fortunately, very good relations with President. We are able to understand the direct of the president have in this area. I think North Korean human rights Act which is passed by congress; demonstrate this is by political issue in United States. I respect whoever becomes the President next January.
Are you willing to plan to visit North Korea again?
[Jay Lefkowitz] Yes. I hope to have opportunity to visit Korea in the fall. If I do, I will once again request permission travel to North Korea because I really think that North Korean would like to engage directly with United States. On broader issue, ultimately with goal, having some type of normalization of relation, having a dialogue, address Human Right issue is important to step. I think also, in fact, the Kae-Sung Industrial complex is a positive development.