- On March 25, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted the final outcome of the fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the DPRK.

- The Republic of Korea expressed its concern over the negative effects of the DPRK’s extreme militarization on its human rights situation and urged the DPRK to promptly resolve the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war as well as the issue of separated families, including the immediate release of the three Korean missionaries detained in the DPRK.

1. At its 58th session on March 25, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted the final outcome of the fourth cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

2. The Korean government, represented by Ambassador YUN Seong Deok, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to Geneva, expressed its regret that the DPRK rejected nearly half of the recommendations presented by Member States. The government further urged the DPRK to heed the recommendations of the international community and to make earnest efforts to implement them.

3. The Republic of Korea also expressed its concern over the negative effects of the DPRK’s extreme militarization on its human rights situation. The Korean government also urged the DPRK to immediately release Korean detainees, including the three Korean missionaries -- KIM Jung Wook, KIM Kook Kie and CHOI Chun Gil -- and promptly resolve the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war as well as the issue of separated families. It further expressed concern over the DPRK’s inhumane treatment against those who have been forcibly repatriated and called upon the UN Member States to respect the principle of non-refoulement. Korea also encouraged the DPRK to actively engage with the UN human rights mechanisms and participate constructively in the review of its report by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) scheduled for this August.

4. The Korean government participated in the fourth cycle UPR of the DPRK held on November 7, 2024 and, through its advance questions and remarks, shed light on North Korea’s critical human rights violations and recommended the DPRK address these issues.

5. Korea will continue its efforts to raise awareness of the international community on the DPRK’s human rights abuses and urge the DPRK to take measures to improve its human rights situations on various occasions including the UN General Assembly and the HRC.