Pyongyang, May 20 (HS) : Former ICC President Song Sang-hyun has asserted that North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un could face war crime investigations at the ICC in The Hague due to his support for Russia’s war against Ukraine. Speaking during an international conference in Seoul, Song emphasized that it is an opportune moment for justice against Kim. Recently, North Korea acknowledged sending troops to Russia to aid in the conflict, fulfilling legal criteria for Ukraine to potentially file a complaint against Pyongyang for its involvement. Song pointed out that Ukraine, as a victim, can leverage this military support to prompt the ICC to initiate an independent investigation. He highlighted the substantial nature of such a complaint, particularly in light of the ICC’s arrest warrant issued for President Vladimir Putin regarding war crimes related to the war.

Since late last year, North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to support Russian forces. Song further explained the lasting stigma associated with being under an ICC arrest warrant, as it restricts the individual’s ability to enter any of the 124 member countries, functioning as a significant psychological penalty. He urged the ICC to take a more proactive stance on war crimes linked to North Korean leadership.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar