United Nations Radio

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is urging North Korea to provide safeguards for human rights and ensure domestic legal reform in order to comply with its international treaty obligations.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

In his report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mr. Ban expresses serious concern about continuing reports that the situation of human rights remains grave in the country.

The Secretary-General is also concerned that the government of North Korea has not taken significant steps to address persistent reports of systematic and widespread human rights violations and provide safeguards for human rights.

On the food situation, he expresses deep concern at the continued decline of food assistance to North Korea by the international community, despite the worsening shortage of food reported by humanitarian agencies.

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio
(duration: 56")