The United States is again calling out North Korea for its human rights abuses... and is vowing to continue highlighting the horrors and cruelty faced by so many ordinary North Koreans.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Monday,... calling out human rights abuses by the North Korean regime,... as it marked North Korea Freedom Week.
The annual event, organized by South Korean and international activists, hopes to raise awareness of the suffering in the North.
According to the State Department's spokesperson,... North Korea has "subjected its people to egregious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms" for decades,... adding there are approximately 100-thousand North Koreans in political prison camps,... while those who try to escape are often tortured or killed if caught.
The State Department added it will "continue to work with the international community to raise awareness, highlight abuses and violations,... enhance access to independent information, and promote respect for human rights in North Korea."
Meanwhile, according to diplomatic sources,... the UN Human Rights Council will review the human rights situation in North Korea during the 33rd session of the working group of the Universal Periodic Review,... which will take place from May 6th to the 17th in Geneva.
The sources say inquiries submitted on North Korea focus on torture and mistreatment of women and children,... as well as other violations.
The U.S. is asking for statistics on the number of people detained in North Korea's prison system,... while Britain wants to know what measures are being taken by North Korea to ensure religious freedom and right to education.
Canada wants the North to address its efforts to implement and ensure freedom of assembly,... while Sweden is pressing for any improvements on torture, forced labor, and suspensions of meals for prisoners.
Before finalizing its review, the council will also consider a self-evaluation report by North Korea,... as well as the opinions of other related UN bodies and independent human rights organizations.
South Korea has not submitted any inquiries.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.
