Overseas travel ban can be imposed on Kim Jong-il

According to the resolution adopted yesterday, there is a possibility that Kim Jong-il and his close aides might be restricted to go overseas and Kim’s family members who are staying in a foreign country can also be affected.

Domestic law experts said “if a UNSC restriction committee, expected to be established soon, designates Kim Jong-il as a person who is involved in the development of WMD, Kim is not allowed to go overseas including China.”

The UN resolution stipulates “all member nations should take necessary steps to block people who are responsible for North Korea’s policy towards WMD from entering into or transit through their countries.” Kim Chan-kyu, emeritus professor at Kyunghee University, said “there is no question about the fact that Chairman Kim is the ultimate person in charge of North Korea’s WMD,” and “he can be a subject to such restrictions as a direct as well as general person in charge.”

Professor Paek Jin-hyun at SNU and prof. O Byung-sun at Sogang University also interpreted that sentence as such. Government officials close to the matter did not articulate on that matter saying “all depends on the decision by the committee.”

Experts expect the committee will not immediately single out Kim considering a possible repercussion. Prof. Che Sung-ho from Joongang University said “I expect the committee to toughen up its pressure according to North Korea’s response.” On the UN inclusion of ‘family members of person related to WMD’ in the list of subjects to restriction, Prof. Lee Yong-ho at Youngnam University said “if Kim is listed, his family in Europe will be affected as well,” expecting a possibility for European countries to expel those family members.