Seoul, March 28 – South Korea is likely to join as a co-sponsor of this year’s UN resolution on human rights in North Korea, according to government sources, amid earlier expectations that Seoul might skip the move in line with its conciliatory gestures towards Pyongyang.
The South Korean government has tentatively decided to participate as a co-sponsor of the resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea, which will be adopted at a regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council later this month, according to sources on Friday.
This marks a shift in tone from a few days ago, when reports indicated that Seoul was considering dropping out of the co-sponsorship this year to align with President Lee Jae Myung’s efforts to mend strained relations with the North, according to Yonhap news agency.
Remarks by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young a day earlier further strengthened the possibility of Seoul opting out of the resolution.
He said there was "no reason" for Seoul to push for co-sponsorship despite Pyongyang's apparent objections.
Insiders say the shift reflects the government’s emphasis on recognizing the universal value of human rights.
North Korea’s persistent hostility towards the South, despite continued efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions, also likely played a role in the decision.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un formally labelled South Korea the "most hostile state" in his speech to the newly elected parliament on Monday, its state media reported.
South Korea was among the 61 co-sponsors for the resolution adopted at the UN General Assembly Third Committee last December.
