The Ministry of Unification s report on North Korean human rights is stirring controversy, as its English version included a disclaimer noting the ministry does not guarantee the government-published report s accuracy, triggering doubts over its credibility.
Despite being one of the world s most isolated nations - where internet is banned and tourism is strictly managed - these young girls try to sell North Korea as the place where dreams come true.
The South Korea government on Wednesday released an English version of its report on North Korea s human rights situation, which was made public last month for the first time. The English edition is currently available on the unification ministry s website (www.unikorea.go.kr) and will be distributed to overseas diplomatic missions, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and research institutes, the ministry said. The ministry has been compiling an annual report on North Korea s human rights situation since 2017 under the North Korean Human Rights Act. However, the report had not been made public in the past, apparently to avoid provoking Pyongyang.
Scholars and policy officials gathered at Monday’s conference criticized human rights abuses in North Korea, citing malnourishment of citizens and forced labor camps. Researchers also proposed increased flow of information and funding community organizations as possible ways to address human rights concerns in a country with historically closed borders.