South Korea joined a European Union (EU) draft resolution on North Korean human rights as a co-sponsor Nov. 5, adding support to a measure still under review by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s Third Committee.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry announced the move during the Assembly’s 81st session. Co-sponsorship puts Seoul behind the draft while the committee considers it. The Third Committee handles social, humanitarian and cultural matters.
In a statement dated Nov. 4 and carried by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Nov. 5, the Permanent Mission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the UN described the draft as politically motivated. The mission said it violated sovereignty and noninterference, distorted the country’s human rights policy and conditions, and addressed issues it said did not exist. “The EU had better mind its own business,” the mission said.
Yonhap and KBS reported that Seoul’s proposed text calls for engagement between the two Koreas, including possible talks, and progress on humanitarian cases involving abductees, detainees, prisoners of war and separated families.
At a committee meeting, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Claudia Fuentes Julio said the overall human rights situation had not improved. The Secretary-General’s report A/81/346, covering June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, described conditions as continuing to worsen and a serious concern.
The General Assembly adopted its previous resolution on North Korean human rights, A/RES/80/220, without a vote on Dec. 18, 2025.
Yonhap reported that a committee vote was expected around Nov. 18-19, while KBS said it was expected before the session ends Nov. 20. These are reported forecasts, not confirmed vote dates. KBS reported that if the committee approves the draft, the full Assembly would consider it in mid- to late December.
