Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to the recommendation by the UN Special Rapporteur about human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that "in addition to continuing political pressure to exhort the DPRK to improve human rights, it is also now imperative to pursue criminal responsibility of the DPRK leadership".

We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The Commission of Inquiry report highlighted the horrific human rights violations perpetrated by the regime. The British Government supports the principle that there must be no impunity for those accused of human rights violations, such as those documented in the Commission of Inquiry report. In the absence of progress in the DPRK, our focus must be on accountability – not least by ensuring that possible crimes against humanity are appropriately investigated.

The UK has actively raised the issue of accountability on DPRK human rights violations, most recently at a meeting of the UN Security Council on DPRK in December 2015. In addition, as a current member of the UN Human Rights Council the UK is working closely with international partners, including the UN Special Rapporteur, to ensure DPRK – and accountability of the regime for its human rights violations – is a key feature at the March session of the Human Rights Council, including through ensuring a tough Resolution focused on the human rights situation.