Statement by Yunei Kim, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the UN
As delivered

Thank you Mr Chair.

Australia remains gravely concerned by the human rights situation in the DPRK.

The DPRK’s systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations which include arbitrary killings, the punishment of family members for offenses allegedly committed by an individual and near-total state control of expression through censorship and repression, have been well documented by credible accounts, including numerous UN experts.

The DPRK engages in domestic and overseas forced labour and exploitation to generate revenue for its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs at the expense of the welfare of North Koreans who suffer from severe economic hardship, mass starvation and malnutrition. None of this is acceptable.

We remain troubled by reports that border controls and other internal control measures implemented under the pretext of containing COVID-19 continue to impose hardships on North Koreans.

It is appalling that there has been no progress in the human rights situation in the DPRK since the 2014 COI found evidence of crimes against humanity based on state policies.

Australia supports the general humanitarian exemption for UNSC sanctions imposed on the DPRK and remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in North Korea.

We encourage all States that have relations with the DPRK to remind the DPRK of its obligations under international law.

Australia asks the Special Rapporteur, how can we improve accountability for human rights violations in the DPRK? When will the DPRK reopen its borders given the passage of time since the global COVID-19 outbreak?