The government has co-sponsored a United Nations (U.N.) resolution on international concern over North Korea's human rights. Shown is President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 23 giving a keynote speech to the 80th U.N. General Assembly at the world body's headquarters in New York. (Office of the President)

By Charles Audouin

The government has jointly sponsored a United Nations (U.N.) resolution on international concern over North Korea's human rights.

The list of co-sponsors of the resolution of the U.N. General Assembly's Third Committee released on Nov. 12 had Korea among 41 countries including Germany, the U.K., France and Japan. The U.S., however, opted not to take part this time after consistently doing so in prior years, having withdrawn from the U.N. Human Rights Council in February.

The resolution said it was "deeply concerned at the grave human rights situation, the pervasive culture of impunity and the lack of accountability for human rights violations and abuses in the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea."

It also condemned the North "for continuing to divert a disproportionate amount of its resources into military spending and the pursuit of its unlawful nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes over the welfare of its people."

The resolution noted "with concern the possible negative impact on the human rights situation, including that of separated families, following the announcement of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in January 2024 that it would no longer pursue reunification with the Republic of Korea."

It encouraged "diplomatic efforts, and stressing the importance of dialogue and engagement, including inter-Korean dialogue."

Seoul was a joint sponsor of the resolution from 2008-18, withdrew from 2019-21 and rejoined in 2022.

After going through the committee, the resolution will be submitted to the assembly's plenary session next month for a final decision on its adoption.

caudouin@korea.kr