Whether to discuss N. Korean human rights issues at UNSC is under discussion

Whether to discuss N. Korean human rights issues at UNSC is under discussion. March. 17, 2014 04:22. .

Robert King, the U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues, held a press conference in the Washington Foreign Press Center last Friday.

Regarding a resolution on the North Korean human rights issues, he said that the UN Human Rights Council will incorporate recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the resolution, which is likely to be adopted at the end of this month.

He said, “We (the U.S.) have been very supportive of the Commission of Inquiry and its recommendations,” adding that various implementation plans are under discussion with relevant nations.

Regarding the crimes against humanity occurring in North Korea, “If it can be worked out to have this debated and discussed in the Security Council, we (the U.S.) certainly would be supportive of doing that,” said King. However, since the U.N. Security Council is currently fully occupied dealing with the Ukraine issue, he took a prudent approach about the possibility whether the North Korean human rights issues will be included in the agenda and whether there can be productive discussions on them.