NEW YORK — The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution condemning North Korea's systematic and widespread human rights violations for the 21st consecutive year.

On November 19 (local time), the committee convened at the UN Headquarters in New York and passed the North Korean Human Rights Resolution by consensus, without a vote. South Korea participated as a joint proposer of the resolution, which will now be forwarded to the UN General Assembly Plenary Session.

The adopted resolution sheds light on the dire human rights situation in North Korea and urges immediate measures for improvement. The text expresses "deep concern" over the regime's severe human rights abuses, the pervasive culture of impunity, and the lack of accountability for such violations. It explicitly condemns Pyongyang for diverting limited resources toward military expenditure and illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs rather than addressing the welfare needs of its population. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the importance of diplomatic efforts, including inter-Korean dialogue.

New provisions were introduced this year, calling on North Korea to create a favorable environment for the return of international and humanitarian personnel. North Korea closed its borders in January 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not authorized the re-entry of international staff since their complete departure in 2021. Additionally, the resolution encourages member states and UN agencies to increase support for civil society activities aimed at improving the human rights landscape and welcomes the UN High Commissioner’s comprehensive report, which updates the situation since 2014.

South Korea joined approximately 40 other nations as a co-sponsor of the resolution. Seoul had previously co-sponsored the resolution from 2008 to 2018 but abstained from 2019 to 2021 under the Moon Jae-in administration, citing considerations for inter-Korean relations. The South Korean government resumed its co-sponsorship in 2022 following the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. The United States, however, was absent from the list of co-sponsors.

The resolution is scheduled to be submitted to the UN General Assembly Plenary Session next month for final adoption. The UN has adopted this resolution annually since 2005. North Korea has consistently and vehemently rejected these resolutions. Last year, its Foreign Ministry denounced the move as a "human rights racket led by the U.S. and its followers" and a "grave political provocation infringing upon national sovereignty."

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