Activists Clash With Foreign Ministry Over Ukraine Trip

Activists Clash With Foreign Ministry Over Ukraine Trip

Rights activists under police investigation say they sought exceptional passport-use approval for a planned May trip to Ukraine and spent about two months working with the Foreign Ministry on the application. They say the ministry kept asking for more paperwork and then, shortly before the scheduled visit, told them to obtain a recommendation letter from the unification minister, which they could not secure in time.

The activists say the trip was intended to meet Ukrainian officials about two North Korean prisoners of war. They also say police later informed them they were being investigated on suspicion of violating the Passport Act after a complaint from the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry rejected the claim that it required approval from a specific ministry. It said it only pointed to the legal provision allowing exceptional passport-use approval when a mission tied to national interests is recommended by the head of the relevant central government agency.

Key Events

  • Rights activists planned a May 7-11 visit to Ukraine to meet officials about two North Korean prisoners of war.
  • The activists say they worked with the Foreign Ministry for about two months and kept submitting additional documents.
  • They say the ministry eventually asked for a recommendation letter from the unification minister, which they could not obtain before the trip.
  • Police later notified the activists that they were under investigation for allegedly violating the Passport Act after a complaint from the Foreign Ministry.
  • The Foreign Ministry denied telling the delegation that approval from a specific ministry was required, saying it only cited the legal basis for exceptional passport-use approval.

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Tommy Koh retires from foreign service

Professor Tommy Koh will retire from Singapore’s foreign service at the end of August after a 55-year career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is 88 years old and currently serves as Ambassador-at-Large.

At MFA’s National Day observance ceremony, he received the inaugural lifetime distinguished service award. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan presented the award. Koh said he is not fully retiring and will be based at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for International Law from Sept. 1, where he chairs its international advisory panel.

Key Events

  • Tommy Koh is announced to retire from the foreign service at the end of August.
  • His career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spans 55 years.
  • He receives the inaugural lifetime distinguished service award at MFA’s National Day observance ceremony.
  • Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan presents the award.
  • Koh says he will not fully retire and will be based at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for International Law from Sept. 1.