On February 27, 2019, members of the Council of Civic Groups Urging the Release of North Korean Detainees and the 6.25 Abductee Victims' Countermeasures Committee hold a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, calling for the repatriation of North Korean detainees including missionary Kim Jeong-uk, verification of life or death for abductees, and the return of remains. /Courtesy of News1

Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on the 19th that the adoption of the North Korea human rights resolution at the 80th United Nations General Assembly "reflects the international community's shared recognition of the severity of human rights in North Korea."

Commissioner Ahn said in a statement that day, "This resolution urges the North Korean authorities to immediately repatriate abductees, detainees, and prisoners of war, and to halt forced abortions and infanticide against repatriated pregnant North Korean defectors," and "expressed concern that the North Korean authorities are investing excessively large resources in armaments rather than the welfare of residents."

The resolution was adopted by consensus without a vote at the 80th United Nations General Assembly held in New York, the United States, on the 18th (local time), with 61 countries, including Korea, participating as co-sponsors. The North Korea human rights resolution has been adopted for 21 consecutive years this year.

The resolution included a welcome for the submission of a follow-up report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in North Korea. It also recommended that member states protect refugees and asylum-seekers from North Korea, comply with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, and expand support for North Korean human rights civic groups.

Commissioner Ahn noted that a swift resolution is needed regarding the issue of separated families. Ahn said, "Our citizens who have been forcibly detained in North Korea for a long period and separated families in the South and North are aging, so tasks such as confirming the life or whereabouts of abductees and holding separated family reunions are extremely urgent," and "hopes that the government's active humanitarian measures will be carried out swiftly."

Ahn added, "We hope that the issues urged in this resolution will be improved through a proactive change in attitude by the North Korean authorities and constructive cooperation with the international community."

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