Geneva: The U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted the final report of its regular review of North Korea's human rights situation, urging the reclusive regime to implement its recommendations to improve human rights conditions for its people. The adoption took place during the 58th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, following North Korea's fourth universal periodic review (UPR) conducted in November of the previous year for the 2022-27 cycle, as reported by Seoul's foreign ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the UPR is a mechanism established by the UNHRC in 2008 to conduct a periodic human rights review of all U.N. member states every 4.5 years. During the session, South Korean Ambassador to Geneva Yun Seong-deok expressed regret over North Korea's rejection of nearly half of the 294 recommendations made by member states and urged Pyongyang to accept and implement these recommendations.
Yun highlighted concerns regarding the negative impact of North Korea's militarization on human rights and called for the immediate release of three detained South Korean missionaries. He emphasized the need to resolve issues related to abductees, detainees, and prisoners of war promptly.
Additionally, Yun expressed concern over the treatment of North Korean defectors who were forcibly repatriated. He urged all member states to adhere to the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits forcing refugees back to countries where they may face persecution.