The United Nations General Assembly’s Human Rights Committee has adopted a resolution condemning North Korea’s widespread and systematic human rights violations for the 21st consecutive year.
The Third Committee of the 80th UN General Assembly adopted the North Korea human rights resolution by consensus without a vote on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
This resolution was co-sponsored by 61 countries, including South Korea, and is scheduled for final adoption at the upcoming General Assembly plenary session next month.
The adopted resolution strongly condemned the ongoing systematic, widespread, and serious human rights violations in North Korea, noting that most of the 19 recommendations presented by the 2014 Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea (COI) remain unimplemented.
The resolution also comprehensively addressed concerns about deteriorating humanitarian conditions, including food security, healthcare, and sanitation. It called for renewed access for international organizations, support for civil society, improvements in humanitarian situations, and resolution of issues related to abductions and enforced disappearances.
The government highlighted that this resolution urges North Korea to create an environment conducive to the return of international and humanitarian aid workers. It also encourages UN member states and agencies to expand support for civil society activities aimed at improving human rights in North Korea.
This year’s resolution emphasized the importance of implementing Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations and strengthening cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms.
Despite speculation that the current administration might not support this year’s human rights resolution due to its focus on engagement with North Korea, the government has maintained a stance on North Korean human rights issues similar to previous administrations.
South Korea co-sponsored the resolution from 2008 to 2018 but abstained from 2019 to 2022 during the previous administration, considering potential impacts on inter-Korean relations. In 2023, under the current administration, South Korea resumed its role as a co-sponsor.
The government said it would continue working with the international community to help ensure meaningful improvements in the human rights situation of North Korean citizens.
Following this adoption, North Korea is expected to oppose the UN’s human rights resolution strongly. Last year, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized it as a serious political provocation infringing on the country’s dignity and sovereignty, describing it as a ploy by the United States and its allies to adopt human rights resolutions.