Pyongyang: North Korea on Thursday condemned a recent United Nations resolution on human rights violations in the country, calling it a "grave political provocation." The reaction came after the Geneva-based U.N. Human Rights Council adopted its annual resolution on Pyongyang's human rights by consensus Monday at its 61st regular session, co-sponsored by 50 countries, including South Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea's foreign ministry branded the adoption of the resolution as a provocation to the dignity and sovereignty of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and expressed strong rejection. The resolution condemned long-standing human rights violations in North Korea and urged the nation to take immediate steps to address these issues. North Korea argued that the resolution represents a hostile act against the U.N. Charter's principle of non-intervention in internal affairs.

The statement from the North Korean foreign ministry criticized the U.N. human rights arena for its perceived politicization and double standards. The ministry also warned that countries participating in what it described as slander against North Korea would be held accountable for their actions.

The North Korean government additionally cited a U.S. attack in Iran that resulted in the deaths of nearly 200 students and teachers as an example of alleged hypocrisy, seemingly to deflect criticism of its human rights record. An official at Seoul's unification ministry noted that North Korea's response to this year's resolution appears more intense compared to previous years. The statement seems targeted at South Korea, which co-sponsored the resolution despite advocating for peaceful coexistence with the North.