Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Insun on Feb. 25 gives a keynote speech at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Margareth Theresia

The country has expressed its firm intent to contribute to the protection and enhancement of international human rights in launching its activities as a member state of the United Nations (U.N.) Human Rights Council.

Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Insun on Feb. 25 gave a keynote speech at a high-level session of the council in Geneva, Switzerland, on her government's basic stance and action plans as a member state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul said on Feb. 26.

"Korea actively supports the U.N. mechanism for human rights," she said. "We will push to raise human rights capacity in developing countries, boost human rights in the digital era, and protect the human rights of women and underprivileged groups."

The vice minister also expressed concern over the human rights situation in North Korea, mentioning how illegal military cooperation between Russia and the North is exacerbating the latter's human rights and global peace and security. She also mentioned the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors and the inhumane treatment they face, urging each country to abide by the principle of banning such deportations.

"In the process of achieving freedom, democracy and prosperity after the Korean War, Korea has shown a ceaseless recovery ability," Vice Minister Kang said. "On the basis of this experience, we will faithfully contribute to the protection and enhancement of human rights in the international community."

As a member of three leading U.N. organizations -- the Human Rights Council, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council -- Korea has taken a leading role to push forward universal global values such as human rights.

margareth@korea.kr