UN Human Rights Council condemns North's violations, crimes

Home > National > North Korea

Published: 31 Mar. 2026, 09:03

The symbol of the United Nations is displayed outside the Secretariat Building, Feb. 28, 2022, at United Nations Headquarters. [AP/YONHAP]

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution denouncing North Korea's systemic and widespread human rights violations and inhumane crimes, co-sponsored by South Korea and 49 other nations, according to Seoul's diplomatic mission in Geneva.

The Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution on Pyongyang's human rights by consensus at a regular session of the council on Monday, according to the South Korean permanent mission in Geneva.

While the South Korean government reportedly considered opting out of the co-sponsorship this year amid its efforts to mend strained ties with Pyongyang, it has joined as a co-sponsor in an apparent bid to act in principle on recognizing the universal value of human rights.

South Korea was among the 61 co-sponsors of the resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly Third Committee last December. Seoul co-sponsored the resolution from 2008 to 2018 but skipped it from 2019 to 2021 during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in.

Yonhap