Report on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances Session: 132 INFORMATION FROM SOURCE Date: 04-Oct-2023 According to the information received: Mr. Mr. Yeon Kyeong-Hyeok (연경혁), a medical doctor, born on 11 June 1986 and residing in Hyesan city, Ryanggang Province, was allegedly abducted in late March 2006 at home presumably by agents of Ministry of State Security. It is reported that prior to his disappearance, province-level officials of the Ministry of State Security (국가안전보위성) detained Mr. Yeon for a short period as he attempted to retrieve merchandise from China for his business. While Mr. Yeon was released from detention on the same day, it is further reported that two unknown persons, believed to be Hyesan city officials of the Ministry of State Security, apprehended him later in the evening in his residence under the false pretense of being transporters of commercial items from China, and took him away. It is further reported that, on the following day, agents of the Ministry of State Security returned to his residence to conduct a search and seizure, ransacking Mr. Yeon Kyeong-Hyeok’s entire home. In the process, they seized a cell phone that Mr. Yeon had been using to communicate with a person connected to him who had escaped the country. Persons associated with Mr. Yeon Kyeong-Hyeok allegedly attempted to obtain information concerning his whereabouts and wellbeing through informal channels, including brokers and persons involved in commercial business of Chinese items. However, it is reported that no information could be provided due to fear of reprisals by the authorities. In the fall of 2016, persons associated with Mr. Yeon learned about the events that had befallen him and the circumstances of his capture and were informed that his case could not be resolved by paying ransom. This information was allegedly reaffirmed two years later, in June 2018, by an acquaintance of Mr. Yeon. At the time of the present communication, the fate and whereabouts of Mr. Yeon Kyeong-Hyeok remain unknown. 2