North Korea says it’s ready to discuss human rights with UN

North Korea says it is willing to cooperate with the U.N. and other international organizations on human rights, but is bristling at what it views as politicization of the issue by its arch enemy, the United States. In February, a U.N. commission of inquiry concluded there was evidence of crimes against humanity by North Korea’s authoritarian government. Washington this week also called on Pyongyang to shut its “evil system” of prison camps. Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong did not directly address the findings of the commission, which Pyongyang has refused to cooperate with. Ri accused the U.S. of “abusing” the human rights issue for political purposes. He said the Korean peninsula had gone to “the brink” of war last year and he repeatedly lambasted large-scale military exercises by the U.S. and South Korea, which he claimed could lead to a “surprise attack” on Pyongyang.

Peaceful environment and reduction of tensions are ever more precious to us now than at any time. The tense situation of the Korean peninsula does not help us.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong

Politics