– The Republic of Korea urged the DPRK to immediately release the three Korean missionaries and promptly resolve the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war as well as the issue of separated families.

1. The Republic of Korea attended the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC)’s interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which was held in Geneva on March 19.

2. Through its remarks, the Korean government expressed its appreciation for the Special Rapporteur’s report, which emphasized the interlinkages among the DPRK’s dire human rights situation, development, and peace and security.

3. Furthermore, Korea shed light on the Special Rapporteur’s view which stated that the conditions in which the DPRK soldiers perform military service can constitute human rights violations and that all military personnel should be protected under international law when captured.

4. The Korean government expressed concern about the inhumane treatment of the DPRK escapees being forcibly repatriated and called upon all UN Member States to respect the principle of non-refoulement. It also urged the DPRK to immediately release the three Korean missionaries (KIM Jung Wook, KIM Kook Kie and CHOI Chun Gil) and promptly resolve the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war as well as the issue of separated families.

5. Finally, Korea urged the DPRK to faithfully implement the recommendations made during its fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and engage constructively in the review of its report by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) scheduled for this August.

6. On March 19, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea in Geneva organized a side event on North Korean human rights on the margins of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) and enhanced awareness of the international community on North Korean human rights violations and ways to ensure accountability.

7. On March 25, the Korean government will also take part in the meeting of the HRC dedicated to adopting the outcomes of the fourth cycle UPR of the DPRK and urge the DPRK to faithfully implement the recommendations made during its UPR.

8. Korea will continue its multi-faceted endeavors to improve North Korean human rights situations in various forums including the UN General Assembly and the HRC.