Thank you, Mr President,

The UK is grateful for the High Commissioner’s report which draws attention to the DPRK’s continued widespread and systematic violations of human rights. We are also grateful for the bravery of the 314 victims and witnesses who provided information to his office.

As the report makes clear, there has been no improvement in the human rights situation in the DPRK since 2014. If anything, it has got worse. The death penalty is being implemented for a wider range of acts, including the sharing of foreign media. There is more pervasive surveillance and an increased use of forced labour.

As the High Commissioner has pointed out, the DPRK’s current extreme isolation is a major barrier to improving human rights. The UK believes that diplomacy and negotiation are the best

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