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PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA GENEVA
Statement by H. E. Mr. SHIN Dong-ik
Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Korea <Check against delivery>
Agenda Item 4 (General Debate) Geneva, 5 June 2013
Statement by the Republic of Korea
Mr. President,
The Republic of Korea remains deeply concerned with the situation in Syria, on which this Council was informed today of another update by the Commission of Inquiry on Syria. Last week we also had an urgent debate on this most critical challenge the international community faces today. I would like to repeat the call for the immediate end of violence against civilians by all parties in the country and reaffirm our strong commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria and its neighboring countries.
My delegation also welcomes the appointment of members of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and assures the Commission of my Government’s full support for its efforts. My delegation also urges the DPRK to cooperate with the Commission and other UN human rights mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK, and to accordingly fulfill its human rights obligations.
As this Council is well aware, the stark failure by the DPRK to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its own citizens has led a great number of its people to flee the country and seek asylum abroad. Many of the refugees and asylum seekers from the DPRK have reached safe places, including the Republic of Korea.
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But the road to safety and freedom is full of pain and suffering for these people.
Some have not been fortunate enough and suffer the worst fate, being forced to return to the DPRK. In this regard, the Republic of Korea, along with other members of the international community, has continuously emphasized the paramount importance of the obligation to provide international protection to them.
Mr. President,
To my great sadness and regret, a total of nine young children and youths who fled from the DPRK were recently repatriated against their will. As the High Commissioner for Refugees noted, their safety and fundamental human rights are a matter of grave concern. They may face persecution or severe punishment, including possible torture. The Republic of Korea strongly urges the DPRK to ensure their life and safety and to refrain from imposing unjust punishment or ill-treatment to them.
We also urge the DPRK to give them access to an independent actor who could determine their status and wellbeing, as appealed by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK. We urgently request the High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant special procedures to use every endeavor for their safety.
At the same time, the Republic of Korea would like to reiterate that asylum-seekers and refugees must not be denied international protection they are entitled to, including the protection under the principle of non-refoulement which is a core element of customary international law. Until the DPRK comes to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people, the international community must take the responsibility to protect the wretched people fleeing from the country.
Thank you, Mr. President. /End/
