Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

February 8, 2024  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

February 17, 2024, marks the tenth anniversary of the release of the report of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The government of the Republic of Korea acknowledges the report's contribution to raising awareness in the international community about the gravity of the human rights situation in the DPRK, where systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations are being committed by the regime.

The ROK government is deeply concerned over the persisting human rights violations in the DPRK despite the recommendations put forward in the report.

The ROK government urges the DPRK, which has focused on unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile development and provocations while infringing upon the human rights of its people, to immediately cease provocations and protect basic rights of its people.

In addition, the ROK government reiterates its call on the DPRK to disclose the fate of the abductees, detainees and unrepatriated prisoners of war in the DPRK and to repatriate them as soon as possible.

The DPRK should be well aware that impunity for human rights violations will not last forever. 

The ROK government and the international community will not remain silent and will continue to raise voices over the dire human rights situation in the DPRK.

The ROK government, placing the North Korean human rights issue at the core of its North Korean policy, will continue efforts in unity with the international community to bring attention to the human rights situation in North Korea, seek accountability for those responsible, and eventually lead changes in North Korea's behavior.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)