1. The government of the Republic of Korea appreciates the US government’s third report on serious human rights abuses and censorship in North Korea and the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions, released in accordance with the US North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (H.R. 757) on October 26 (local time).

2. Such action, along with a range of efforts by the US to improve human rights conditions in North Korea, including continued extension of the US North Korean Human Rights Act (signed into law in 2004), is expected to contribute to such joint efforts of the ROK, the US and the international community.

3. The ROK government urges North Korean authorities to make efforts to improve the human rights situation in North Korea in response to the international community’s demand for action, expressed in the UN General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea. The ROK government will continue to exert various efforts towards making tangible improvements in the lives of North Koreans, including cooperation with the international community to improve the human rights conditions in North Korea.


* unofficial translation