Mr. Choi Seong Jai was arrested at his home by agents of National Security Agency (NSA) in 2000 for stealing and concealing a border guard's weapon, and committing treason against the state for crossing the border into China. He was held at the NSA facility for approximately six months. Reportedly, Mr. Choi was tortured beyond recognition in detention.
Ms. Hong Won Ok was arrested in 2002 and imprisoned in a political prison camp for treason. Reportedly, Ms. Hong had regularly and publicly complained about the living and political situation in North Korea, which is considered reactionary conduct. According to a source, her punishment was compounded because of her guilt by association with her husband.
Mr. Kim Seong Do and Mr. Lee Hak Cheol were arrested in May 2012 by an NSA agent for communicating with Mr. Lee's father, Mr. Jeon Young Cheol, helping him film, and delivering a camera and money. Mr. Jeon was involved with a dissident group, established to destroy statues of Kim Il Sung. Kim Seoul Ill - Kim Seong Do's brother - and Lee Gook Cheol were arrested based upon guilt by association with Kim Seong Do and Lee Hak Cheol. All four individuals were reportedly detained in a political prison camp on account of propaganda against the country, treason, and espionage.
Ms. Kim Mi Rae was arrested together along with her husband, younger sister, and son - Lee Jee Hun - en route to South Korea and detained, reportedly on account of treason against the state by defection. She was detained at the NSA detention facility and later transferred to the No. 16 political prison camp.
North Korea denied these alleged cases and did not provide any information about the current situation of the three individuals. The WGAD indicated that, under certain circumstances, widespread, or systemic imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty in violation of international law may constitute crimes against humanity. The WGAD found the detention of Choi Seong Jai, Hong Won Ok, Kim Seong Do, Kim Seong Il, Lee Hak Cheol, Lee Gook Cheol, Kim Mi Rae, and Lee Jee Hoon to be in violation of articles 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19 and 20 of the UDHR, and articles 8, 9, 12 and 14, 18, 19 of the ICCPR and arbitrary falling within categories I, II and III. The WGAD requested that North Korea release them immediately and accord them an enforceable right to compensation.