North Korea has for the first time admitted carrying out public executions, a form of punishment widely criticized by the international community as an extreme human rights violation.

According to the British daily The Times on Sunday, Pak Kwang-ho, director of the North’s Central Court, made the rare admission in Geneva last week during the United Nations’ universal periodic review of the country’s human rights situation.

Pak said while executions normally take place behind closed doors at designated locations, under exceptional circumstances they can take place in public.

He cited as examples murderers who show no remorse, repeat offenders who have seriously harmed others, and cases where the victim’s family wants a public execution.

The official also seemed to indirectly acknowledge the existence of political prison camps, something the North had long denied.

While attempting to defend the country’s human rights record, Pak said a small number of offenders who have committed anti-state crimes, such as espionage and terrorism, are detained separately in reeducation facilities.