Geneva: The European Union has expressed serious concerns following the High Commissioner's report on human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The EU acknowledged the comprehensive nature of the report and appreciated the contributions of all panelists involved. The report highlights widespread and systematic human rights violations in North Korea, many of which may constitute crimes against humanity.

According to European Union, the report indicates a decline in the overall human rights situation in the DPRK since the Commission of Inquiry's findings were published a decade ago. The North Korean population continues to endure severe repression, fear, and deprivation, all of which violate international human rights obligations. The report points out a deterioration in several areas, including the broader application of the death penalty, forced labor, and restrictions on civic space and access to information.

The EU has called on the DPRK to address the findings from the Commission of Inquiry since 2014 and adhere to the new report's recommendations. The Union urges North Korea to engage constructively with the UN human rights system. It also encourages the DPRK to implement recommendations from the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle and Treaty Bodies reviews, cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and allow long-overdue access to human rights mechanisms within the country.