Families of South Koreans detained in North launch group to advocate for release | NK News
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September 28, 2026Sep 28, 2026

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Families of South Koreans detained in North launch group to advocate for release

Founders say they were spurred to action by Seoul’s ‘indifference’ to the plight of seven detained ROK nationals

Family members of South Koreans detained in North Korea for over a decade have established a new association to advocate for their release, amid renewed attention on the prisoners’ plight.

The ROK Hostages’ Families Association (ROKHFA) plans to call on the ROK government and international organizations to verify the conditions of detainees and seek their repatriation, along with an apology and compensation from the DPRK, according to co-founder Choi Jin-young.

“We formed the association because it felt like there was too much indifference [toward the detainees] after the change in the current administration and the Unification Ministry,” Choi, the son