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UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution on N. Korean Human Rights
2014-12-19 Updated.
 
Anchor: A new resolution on North Korea’s human rights conditions passed Thursday at the UN General Assembly. The resolution recommends that the North’s human rights violations be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is regarded to be the most powerful resolution yet to be adopted. 
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
 
Report: 
[Sound bite: UN General Assembly’s 69th Session (Dec. 18 / New York)]
"In favor 116, against 20, abstentions 53. Draft Resolution One is adopted (striking the gavel)."
 
At the 69th General Assembly held in New York on Thursday, a new resolution on North Korea’s human rights violations passed after receiving overwhelming support.
 
More UN member states voted in favor of the resolution compared to the voting on November 18 at the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee.
 
The latest resolution is regarded to be the most powerful yet on North Korea’s human rights as it calls for the North’s referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and for sanctions to be imposed on those responsible for crimes against humanity in the North.
  
With the adoption of the resolution that could be seen as targeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a strong consensus has been formed that the international community must act on the North’s human rights situation.
 
The North strongly protested the passage of the resolution, calling it an attempt to destroy the North’s government and an insult to its highest dignity.
 
North Korean Deputy Ambassador to the UN An Myong-hun reiterated such a stance at the General Assembly, slamming the resolution as a “product of a political plot and confrontation.”  
 
[Sound bite: North Korean Deputy Ambassador to the UN An Myong-hun (English)]
"This delegation will not tolerate any attempt to abuse human rights issues as a tool for overthrowing its social system. Once again,  my delegation emphasizes that we reject the resolution... on the basis of fabricated report of the Commission of Human Rights, of Inquiry, which has never been in my country."
 
On Monday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will adopt, for the first time, the North’s human right issue as an official topic of discussion at the request made earlier this month by three permanent members - the U.S., Britain and France - along with seven non-permanent members, including South Korea and Australia.
 
Given that China and Russia have veto power, referring the North to the ICC is unlikely to happen.
 
But as an issue is discussed for three years after it is adopted as a topic at the UNSC, the international community will be able to keep pressuring the North on its human rights conditions
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.
 
  
 
 
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