The South Korean government officially declared their support for a Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity in North Korea on the 27th. Dr. Kim Bong-hyun, the South Korean deputy foreign minister for global affairs, said at the 22nd UN Human Rights Council session that South Korea would back international moves to establish a COI.
Dr. Kim told the member states at the Human Rights Council that, "The situation in the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea has continued to deteriorate and the High Commissioner recently urged the international community to take stronger action by raising the need for an international inquiry into the human rights situation in this country." Therefore, he said, "The government of Republic of Korea will fully join in this effort of the international community including the establishment of inquiry mechanism towards the improvement of the human rights situation in the country."
Dr. Kim also raised the issue of abductions and refoulement during his speech at the session.
The South Korean government's backing has been seen as a crucial part of efforts to persuade other countries to back the establishment of a COI.
Source: Yonhap News
