Geneva: The U.N. Human Rights Council has adopted this year’s resolution on North Korea’s human rights situation, co-sponsored by South Korea and 49 other nations. The resolution was adopted by consensus at the council’s 61st regular session in Geneva, highlighting the global concern over human rights issues in North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean government had reportedly considered not co-sponsoring the resolution this year as part of its efforts to mend strained relations with Pyongyang. However, South Korea decided to join as a co-sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to the universal value of human rights.

The U.N. resolution strongly condemns the long-standing, systematic, widespread, and gross human rights violations and abuses in North Korea. It urges Pyongyang to take immediate steps to end these crimes. The resolution also calls for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained in North Korea and the resumption of family reunions for those separated by the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.

South Korea, which co-sponsored a similar resolution at the U.N. General Assembly Third Committee last December, had previously supported the resolution from 2008 to 2018. However, it had skipped sponsorship from 2019 to 2021 during the administration of former President Moon Jae-in. North Korea has dismissed international criticism of its human rights record as a U.S.-led attempt to undermine its regime.