Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

December 21, 2023  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

The Korean government welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) by consensus at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 19, following last year’s resolution.

In the resolution, with regard to forced repatriation of defectors from the DPRK in third countries, the UNGA strongly urges all UN member states to respect the fundamental principle of non-refoulement.

In addition, with respect to forced repatriation of defectors from the DPRK, the UNGA, for the first time, urges all States parties to comply with their obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The resolution includes more strongly worded or newly added text on the link between the human rights issue in the DPRK, and international peace and security; the issue of abductees, detainees and prisoners of war in the DPRK; and the DPRK citizens’ right to information.

The Korean government took an active part in the drafting of this year’s resolution and will continue efforts to raise the international awareness on the human rights issue in the DPRK, including the protection of defectors therefrom.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)