Unification minister calls for ceaseless efforts to improve NK's human rights situation

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho makes opening speech at the meeting of advisory committee on enhancing North Korea's human rights situation in Jongno District, Seoul, March 12. Yonhap

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said Tuesday continued efforts to improve North Korea's human rights situation could bring a positive change to North Koreans suffering from Pyongyang's human rights records.

Kim made the remark at the first meeting of an advisory committee on improving North Korea's human rights situation that began its one-year second term earlier in the day. The committee was launched in March last year.

"If we accurately know the North's situation and continue to call on North Korea to improve its human rights situation while maintaining solidarity with the international community, these efforts could bring hope and a positive change to North Koreans," Kim said.

The committee will play an important role in addressing key issues related to North Korea's human rights, such as access to information and accountability, he added.

The advisory committee was launched as the North Korean Human Rights Foundation has not set sail yet due to the main opposition party's reluctance to recommend its board members.

The North Korean Human Rights Act, which came into force in 2016, stipulated the creation of the foundation. The yearslong delay in the establishment prompted the ministry to launch the advisory committee last year to address the North's dire human rights situation.

North Korea has long been accused of grave human rights abuses, ranging from holding political prisoners in concentration camps to committing torture and carrying out public executions. (Yonhap)