1. The Government of the Republic of Korea notes with appreciation and welcomes the US announcement on July 6, US time, of sanctions against human rights abusers in North Korea pursuant to the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016.

2. The measure -- the first-ever package of sanctions imposed by an individual country or an international organization over North Korean human rights issues, which came after the entry into force of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 (H.R. 757) on February 18, the announcement on March 16 of Executive Order 13722 ("Blocking Property of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea, and Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to North Korea"), and the designation of North Korea as a jurisdiction of “primary money laundering concern” on June 1 -- reaffirms the stern US resolve to further toughen sanctions against North Korea across the board.

° In particular, the ROK government takes note of the fact that the US, by taking the measure, has made clear the accountability of individuals and entities of the North Korean regime for the human rights abuses in North Korea.

3. The measure is expected to raise the international community’s awareness of the gravity of the human rights situation in North Korea, where systemic and widespread violations of human rights are being committed, while greatly helping intensify international discussions on the issue and strengthening relevant measures.

4. Since the release of the report in February 2014 by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in the DPRK, the international community has demanded on various international stages, including the UN Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly and the European Parliament, that North Korea improve its human rights situation. The Government of the Republic of Korea urges the North Korean government to pay attention to that demand and improve its grave human rights situation as soon as possible.

5. The Government of the Republic of Korea will continue to take an active part in various efforts of the international community to improve the human rights situation in North Korea.


* unofficial translation