Press Releases

1. On November 20 (November 19 local time), the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which was co-tabled by Japan and the European Union (EU), was adopted (for the ninth consecutive year) by consensus for the second consecutive year at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which is currently held in New York. The resolution was co-sponsored by a record number of 59 countries.

2. This resolution expresses very serious concern at various violations of human rights in the DPRK and strongly urges the DPRK to respect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to resolve the abductions issue urgently, including the immediate return of abductees.

3. To improve the human rights situation in the DPRK, it is important for the international community to cooperate and continue to urge the DPRK to make concrete actions toward the improvement of its human rights situation. The adoption of the resolution by consensus with a record number of co-sponsors at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, composed of all UN member states, indicates that strong concern of the human rights situation in the DPRK including the abductions issue remains, and the Government of Japan considers that the adoption sent a clear message from the international community urging the DPRK to improve the situation.

4. The Government of Japan will continue to urge the DPRK to take concrete actions to improve the human rights situation, including the immediate return of abductees and to cooperate with the international community, including the acceptance of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, by sincerely responding to the voice of the international community expressed in the resolution.