North Korea has denounced the recent decision of a United Nations committee to adopt a resolution on human rights violations in the country, accusing the committee of politically motivated provocation and saying the resolution encroaches on the country’s dignity and sovereignty.

In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Friday, the North’s foreign ministry spokesperson said the resolution violates the spirit of the UN Charter, which at its core is about respect for the sovereignty of countries and noninterference in their internal affairs.
 
The resolution, adopted Wednesday by the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, calls on the North to guarantee the rights to freedom of thought, expression and religion and reform or repeal laws that suppress those rights. 

In response to the UN committee’s accusation that North Korea is violating human rights to finance its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, the North said it is exercising the legitimate right of a sovereign state.

The committee adopted the resolution for the 20th consecutive year by consensus, without a vote, before sending it to the UN General Assembly.