Commission of Inquiry In March 2013, the Human Rights Council established the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and mandated the commission to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in DPRK, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular, for violations that may amount to crimes against humanity. Read more about the Commission DOCUMENTS Summary Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/HRC/25/63)Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | SpanishKorean (unofficial translation) | Japanese (unofficial translation) Full Report of the Detailed Findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (A/HRC/25/CRP.1)English | Korean (unofficial translation) | Japanese (unofficial translation) Questions and Answers on the Report of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (17 February 2014) English MULTIMEDIAPublic Hearings (Programs, Videos and Transcripts): The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Video Excerpts of the Public Hearings Read more about the Public Hearings Thematic Reports
In March 2013, the Human Rights Council established the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and mandated the commission to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights in DPRK, with a view to ensuring full accountability, in particular, for violations that may amount to crimes against humanity.
Read more about the Commission
MULTIMEDIA
Public Hearings (Programs, Videos and Transcripts): The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
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Latest Reports 5 Years of the United Nations Human Rights Office in Seoul23-06-202023 June 2020 marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of OHCHR's field-based structure in Seoul. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea25-02-2020Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea28-08-2019The outcome report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaAddendum Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea28-08-2019Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the Democratic People’s Republic of KoreaReport of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea02-08-2019Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 74th General Assembly Full list of Reports UN Resolutions Title/Name Date General Assembly Third Committee's Resolution on the Situation of Human rights in the DPRK (A/C.3/74/L.26)31/10/2019Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/RES/40/20) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK03/04/2019General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/73/180) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK17/12/2018Human Rights Council resolution (A/HRC/RES/37/28) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK20/03/2018General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/72/188) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK19/12/2017Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/RES/34/24) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK24/03/2017General Assemly Resolution (A/RES/71/202) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK 19/12/2016Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/RES/31/18) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK21/03/2016Security Council Resolution 2270 concerning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea02/03/2016General Assembly Resolution (A/Res/70/172) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK17/12/2015Human Rights Council Resolution (A/HRC/RES/28/22) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK08/04/2015 Security Council Resolution S/RES/2207 (2015) adopted on 4 March 2015 on Non-proliferation/Democratic People's Republic of Korea04/03/2015General Assembly Resolution A/RES/69/188 adopted on 18 December 2014 on the Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea18/12/2014Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/25/25 adopted on 28 March 2014 on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea28/03/2014Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/19/13 adopted on 3 April 2012 on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea03/04/2012Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350 UN/OHCHR Publications Title/Name Date DescriptionFact SheetsFact Sheets provide information on a wide range of human rights subjects. By researching and focusing on an issue, a Fact Sheet helps readers understand human rights and related topics, and the international machinery that has been established to promote and protect them.Special Issue materialsSpecial Issues explore selected subjects in greater depth. The subjects are chosen in the light of their topicality, urgency and recent developments that have led to a change of perspective or emphasis. Reference MaterialsReference materials give researchers and human rights law practitioners access to key human rights instruments and other essential information. These materials also include jurisprudence from human rights treaty bodies. Training and Education materialsTraining and Educational materials consist of guides, manuals and handbooks for indigenous peoples, minorities, professional groups (e.g. police, prison officials, judges, parliamentarians, human rights monitors, election monitors and social workers) and educational institutions. Policy and Methodological materialsPolicy and Methodological materials provide practical and policy guidance on the method of application and implementation of human rights norms.Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK 10 December 2015Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350 Multimedia Title/Name DescriptionDate Families ReunitedIn South Korea, families suffering from "involuntary separation" receive support for their plight.21/01/2019Human Rights and the Olympics A video message of Ms. Kate Gilmore, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Olympic Charter. 06/02/2018North Koreans’ Long Struggle for FreedomFrom North Korea, a brave young woman tells of her escape and determination to end the suffering - and efforts to bring those responsible to justice.13/05/2016Video Excerpts of the Public HearingsExcerpts of the testimony on human rights violations in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea given to the Commission of Inquiry at Public Hearings in Seoul, Tokyo, London and Washington.11/04/2014Public Hearings in Seoul, Tokyo, London, and Washington, D.C.The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350
23 June 2020 marked the fifth anniversary of the opening of OHCHR's field-based structure in Seoul.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council
The outcome report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review - Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the 74th General Assembly
Full list of Reports
Fact Sheets provide information on a wide range of human rights subjects. By researching and focusing on an issue, a Fact Sheet helps readers understand human rights and related topics, and the international machinery that has been established to promote and protect them.
Special Issues explore selected subjects in greater depth. The subjects are chosen in the light of their topicality, urgency and recent developments that have led to a change of perspective or emphasis.
Reference materials give researchers and human rights law practitioners access to key human rights instruments and other essential information. These materials also include jurisprudence from human rights treaty bodies.
Training and Educational materials consist of guides, manuals and handbooks for indigenous peoples, minorities, professional groups (e.g. police, prison officials, judges, parliamentarians, human rights monitors, election monitors and social workers) and educational institutions.
Policy and Methodological materials provide practical and policy guidance on the method of application and implementation of human rights norms.
Record of a Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK
In South Korea, families suffering from "involuntary separation" receive support for their plight.
A video message of Ms. Kate Gilmore, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Olympic Charter.
From North Korea, a brave young woman tells of her escape and determination to end the suffering - and efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
The Commission of Inquiry conducted Public Hearings in Seoul (20-24 August 2013), Tokyo (29-30 August 2013), London (23 October 2013) and Washington, D.C. (30-31 October 2013) during which almost 80 victims and witnesses of human rights violations as well as experts provided testimony on the human rights situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Other Links TItle/Name DescriptionUnited Nations Country Team in the Democratic People's Republic of KoreaThe UN Country Team in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea comprises six resident UN agencies – FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and WHO – and 8 non-resident UN agencies.Sanctions Committee (The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006)The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) was established on 14 October 2006 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out in paragraph 12 of that same resolution. Additional functions were entrusted by the Council to the Committee in resolutions 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and 2094 (2013).Compliance Detailsjavascript:commonShowModalDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/itemexpiration.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}', 'center:1;dialogHeight:500px;dialogWidth:500px;resizable:yes;status:no;location:no;menubar:no;help:no', function GotoPageAfterClose(pageid){if(pageid == 'hold') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/hold.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'audit') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/Reporting.aspx' +'?Category=Auditing&backtype=item&ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;} if(pageid == 'config') {STSNavigate(unescape(decodeURI('{SiteUrl}'))+ '/_layouts/15/expirationconfig.aspx' +'?ID={ItemId}&List={ListId}'); return false;}}, null);0x00x1ContentType0x01898Document Set Version History/_layouts/15/images/versions.gif?rev=23javascript:SP.UI.ModalDialog.ShowPopupDialog('{SiteUrl}'+ '/_layouts/15/DocSetVersions.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520330Send To other location/_layouts/15/images/sendOtherLoc.gif?rev=23javascript:GoToPage('{SiteUrl}' + '/_layouts/15/docsetsend.aspx' + '?List={ListId}&ID={ItemId}')0x00x0ContentType0x0120D520350
The UN Country Team in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea comprises six resident UN agencies – FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, and WHO – and 8 non-resident UN agencies.
The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) was established on 14 October 2006 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out in paragraph 12 of that same resolution. Additional functions were entrusted by the Council to the Committee in resolutions 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013) and 2094 (2013).