► Despite a decade has passed since a United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) was mandated to ensure full accountability for violations of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, there has been no significant progress, particularly regarding crimes against humanity and ensuring accountability. ► The ongoing human rights violations in North Korea are inextricably linked with th...

► On August 18, 2023, the leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan “commit[ted] to strengthening cooperation to promote respect for human rights in the DPRK and reaffirm[ed] a shared commitment to the immediate resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war” in a summit statement, dramatically entitled “The Spirit of Camp David”.[1] ► However, translatin...

► Addressing the challenging landscape of human rights abuses committed in North Korea necessitates robust international collaboration, achievable by leveraging the totality of the mechanisms of the United Nations. ► As times change and North Korea becomes a serious threat contributing to conflicts and war crimes around the world, simply voting yes by South Korea is no longer sufficient. ► It is importa...

► The North Korean human rights movement at the United Nations has a long history, marked by various milestones that have shaped international efforts to address the dire human rights situation. ► To address North Korea comprehensively, a paradigm shift is necessary. Security and human rights concerns should not be viewed as separate silos but as interconnected elements of the same complex issue. ► The U...