1. The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomes the appointment by the UN Human Rights Council on July 8, Geneva time, of Tomas Ojea Quintana of Argentina, former Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, as new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) to succeed Marzuki Darusman.

2. The Government of the Republic of Korea hopes that new Special Rapporteur Quintana will use his expertise and experience in the area of human rights, including his service as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar from 2008 to 2014, in carrying out various activities to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. The ROK government, on its part, will render active cooperation to the Special Rapporteur with his work.

3. The Government of the Republic of Korea extends appreciation to former Special Rapporteur Darusman for his zealous efforts to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including his leading role in the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in the DPRK in March 2013, over the six years at the post.

4. The Government of the Republic of Korea once again urges North Korea to cooperate with the UN mechanisms on human rights, including by allowing the new Special Rapporteur to visit the North, in sincere efforts to improve the human rights situation of its people.


* unofficial translation