37th Session of the Human Rights Council Item 4 General Debate The High Commissioner's Oral updates on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (14 March 2018)

　Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Madame Deputy High Commissioner, for your oral update on the human rights situation in the DPRK.

　The DPRK continues to pursue nuclear and missile development in disregard for the human rights situation of its people and in clear violation of the series of relevant Security Council Resolutions. The international community has to maximize pressure on the DPRK and strongly urge the DPRK to sincerely listen to the voice of the international community. Japan urges the DPRK to change its policy and take concrete steps to cooperate with the international community, including resolving the abduction issue at most expeditious manner.

　Many years have passed since the first abduction case was recorded. Not only the victims themselves, but also their families are getting old. This issue must be resolved without any further delay.

　We place utmost importance on strengthening the capacity of the OHCHR, including its Seoul Office, in order to carry out this work, and we expect this process to be further expedited.

Madam Deputy High Commissioner,

　We are interested to hear your thoughts on what can we expect from the OHCHR Seoul Office as concrete achievements once its capacities have been fully strengthened and how its achievements would lead to, and give impact on the improvement of the human rights situation in DPRK? What can member states potentially contribute to this process?

I thank you, Mr. President.