US foreign policy overlooks human rights as national security

The US is intensifying efforts to counter North Korea and China through tariffs, economic measures and military alliances. Yet, one critical strategy remains overlooked – human rights. Addressing human rights violations as national security threats is not just a moral imperative. It is a strategic necessity that strengthens alliances, undermines totalitarian regimes and enhances global stability.

Former US Vice President Mike Pence has observed, “A country that oppresses its own people rarely stops there.” Human rights violations are often categorized as humanitarian and ideological concerns, separate from core national security issues. In reality, they are inseparable.

The US has long recognized that regimes violating human rights domestically often expand their aggression abroad. This principle underpinned the United States’ demand for Japan’s unconditional surrender in World War II, allowing Japan’s political system to be rebuilt from the ground up to prevent future external aggression.

How rights violations escalate into security threats

When the rights of an individual or a small group are violated, it is a human rights violation. When the rights of an entire nation are violated, it becomes a national security threat. The key difference is the scale of the violation.

Human rights abuses often start on a small scale but, when systematic, escalate into national security threats. A government that disregards its own people’s rights is unlikely to respect the rights of other nations. Treating human rights as a secondary issue overlooks their direct impact on global stability and security.

The vulnerabilities of totalitarian regimes

Totalitarian regimes, or “fear societies,” maintain power by instilling fear and isolating their citizens. However, history shows that their control weakens when people realize they have international support and a place to escape.

One of the most effective strategies against totalitarian regimes was the Jackson-Vanik Amendment of 1974, which linked US trade relations with the Soviet Union to emigration rights. This policy weakened Soviet control and contributed to the USSR’s eventual collapse.

There are also modern examples in Korea. In 2016, South Korean President Park Geun-hye directly appealed to North Koreans, asking them to “come to the bosom of freedom in South Korea.” This led to a number of North Koreans escaping North Korea to seek freedom in South Korea. In 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol publicly vowed never to return defectors to North Korea, reinforcing the view of South Korea as a haven for those fleeing tyranny.

Retaliation against human rights advocacy

Recognizing the existential threat posed by human rights advocacy, North Korea retaliated by ordering its followers within South Korea to remove Park’s and Yoon’s governments.

After successfully removing Park from office in 2017, leftist lawmakers holding a majority in the National Assembly attempted similar tactics against Yoon, including obstructing his efforts to improve ties with the US and Japan, investigate the National Election Commission for the election fraud, and prosecute Chinese spies under the Espionage Act.

They slashed government budgets and impeached 29 key officials. Yoon’s administration was left with a non-functioning government. Faced with these challenges, President Yoon was left with no choice but to declare martial law as a last resort.

Strategic benefits of human rights advocacy

Addressing human rights issues offers key advantages.

First, it offers universal legitimacy. Even leftists struggle to justify opposition to human rights advocacy, making it a rare bipartisan issue.

Second, it strengthens US-Japan-ROK cooperation through common ground. While South Korea’s commitment to the US-ROK alliance is firm, its relationship with Japan remains fragile. Leftists in South Korea frequently exploit historical grievances to hinder cooperation.

However, prioritizing human rights violations by North Korea as a shared concern presents an opportunity to strengthen ties without giving adversaries a pretext to incite division.

Human rights diplomacy in action

Between 2017 and 2021, I attended Japanese government-hosted conferences advocating for the release of Japanese abductees held by North Korea. While these events were organized by Japan, the family of Otto Warmbier was always present, demonstrating collaboration between the US and Japan while increasing pressure on North Korea.

South Korea’s Ministry of Unification has also been working to address North Korean abductions of both South Korean and Japanese citizens,. The ministry has an entire section (in Korean) addressing Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, demonstrating its resolve to address this issue.

The UN Human Rights Office in Seoul (in English) addresses both Korean and Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea. A coordinated approach between the US, Japan and South Korea could significantly bolster trilateral efforts.

Expanding trilateral collaboration from North Korea to China

With successful US-Japan-South Korea collaboration in addressing human rights violation by North Korea, the next step should be to tackle human rights abuses in China. While direct appeals and escape routes work for North Korea, strategies for China must focus on diplomatic pressure, economic measures, and strengthening civil society efforts.

Human rights advocacy is not just a moral responsibility, it is a strategic imperative. By recognizing human rights violations as national security threats, we can:

1. Strengthen alliances against totalitarian regimes
2. Increase diplomatic influence in Northeast Asia
3. Undermine the legitimacy of North Korea and China

Human rights should no longer be treated as a secondary concern in foreign policy. Instead, they should be central to global security strategy. Addressing human rights abuses is not just about morality—it is about ensuring long-term geopolitical stability.

Hanjin Lew is a political commentator specializing in East Asian affairs and a former international spokesman for South Korean conservative parties.