The resolution expressed concerns about the human rights situation in North Korea, citing the 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry report. The report said that “crimes against humanity” were taking place in North Korea – including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment sexual violence, and persecution on political and religious grounds.

The commission encouraged the UN Security Council to “take appropriate action to ensure accountability” such as taking the case to the International Criminal Court, and to consider further sanctions to “target effectively those who appear to be most responsible for human rights violations.”

The commission also urged the North Korean government to take a series of measures – including immediately closing political prison camps, releasing political prisoners and ensuring justice served for those responsible for the crimes.

Kim Song, Permanent Representative of North Korea to the UN, “resolutely and totally” rejected the draft, calling it a “product of a political plot of hostile forces trying to overthrow the social system.”

According to a press release by the UN, Kim deplored that the European Union and Japan had instigated a confrontation by proposing the text, which is “replete with political criticism and fabrications, especially during a time of reconciliation and cooperation.”

The resolution newly added a provision welcoming the resumption of reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and the Koreas’ agreement made at the inter-Korean summit in September to enhance humanitarian cooperation to resolve the issue.

Co-introduced by the EU and Japan, the resolution was co-sponsored by 61 member states. The UN has adopted the resolution on North Korean human rights every year since 2005, and by consensus since 2016.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)