South Korea’s unification ministry urged North Korea on Friday to make the “right choice” of ceasing its nuclear and missile programs and improving the human rights of its people.

The call came a day ahead of the 10th anniversary of the release of the 2014 U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, which held the North Korean regime responsible for “widespread, systematic and gross” violations of human rights.

“Despite efforts in the past decade, the reality of the human rights situation in North Korea remains poor and dismal, with North Korean people not being guaranteed the minimum level of human rights amid the regime’s harsh surveillance and punishment,” Kim In-ae, ministry deputy spokesperson, told a regular press briefing.

Kim said the COI report has substantially contributed to raising global awareness of the urgency of the issue, adding the ministry will closely cooperate with relevant bodies, civil society and the international community for the faithful implementation of the recommendations made b
y the report.

Despite international condemnation over its egregious rights abuses, North Korea claims its people are freely enjoying genuine human rights.

Source: Yonhap News Agency