Rights abuses continue in North Korea a decade after probe, says UN investigator
A North Korean flag flutters on top of a 160-metre tower in North Korea's propaganda village of Gijungdong in this picture taken from the Dora observatory near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, South Korea, April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji/File Photo
SEOUL - A decade after a landmark U.N. report concluded North Korea committed crimes against humanity, a U.N. official investigating rights in the isolated state told Reuters many abuses continue, exacerbated by COVID-era controls that have yet to be lifted.
James Heenan, who represents the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul, said he is still surprised by the continued prevalence of executions, forced labour and reports of starvation in the authoritarian country.
Later this year Heenan's team will release a follow-up report to the 2014 findings by the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, which said the government had committed "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations" that constituted crimes against humanity.
DPRK is North Korea's official name.
While the conclusions of this year's report are still being finalised, Heenan told Reuters in an interview that the last 10 years have seen mixed results, with North Korea's government engaging more with some international institutions, but doubling down on control at home.
"The post-COVID period for DPRK means a period of much greater government control over people's lives and restrictions on their freedoms," he said in the interview.
North Korea's embassy in London did not answer phone calls seeking comment. The government has in the past denied abuses and accused the U.N. and foreign countries of trying to use human rights as a political weapon to attack North Korea.
A Reuters investigation in 2023 found leader Kim Jong Un had spent much of the COVID pandemic building a massive string of walls and fences along the previously porous border with China, and later built fences around the capital of Pyongyang.
A report this week by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said the COVID pandemic raged in North Korea for more than two years before the regime admitted in May 2022 that the virus had permeated its borders, and that the regime bungled the response in a way that violated freedoms and left most citizens to fend for themselves.
On Wednesday SI Analytics, a Seoul-based satellite imagery firm, released a report noting North Korea is renovating a key prison camp near the border with China, possibly in response to international criticism, while simultaneously strengthening physical control over prisoners under the pretence of facility improvement.
Heenan said his team has talked to more than 300 North Koreans who fled their country in recent years, and many expressed despair.
"Sometimes we hear people saying they sort of hope a war breaks out, because that might change things," he said.
A number of those interviewees will speak publicly for the first time next week as part of an effort to put a human face on the U.N. findings.
"It's a rare opportunity to hear from people publicly what they want to say about what's happening in the DPRK," Heenan said.
He expressed concern about funding cuts for international aid and U.N. programmes around the world, which is pressuring human rights work and threatening support for North Korean refugees.
While human rights has traditionally been a politically volatile subject not only for Pyongyang but for foreign governments trying to engage with the nuclear-armed North, Heenan said the issues like prison camps need to be part of any engagement on a political settlement.
"There's no point self-censoring on human rights, because... no one's fooled," he said. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
25 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US court lets Trump keep control of California National Guard for now
FILE PHOTO: A demonstrator raises his hand holding flowers as members of the National Guard stand in formation outside a federal building during the No Kings protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Daniel Cole/File Photo US court lets Trump keep control of California National Guard for now WASHINGTON - A U.S. appeals court let Donald Trump retain control on Thursday of California's National Guard while the state's Democratic governor proceeds with a lawsuit challenging the Republican president's use of the troops to quell protests in Los Angeles. Trump's decision to send troops into Los Angeles prompted a national debate about the use of the military on U.S. soil and inflamed political tension in the country's second most-populous city. On Thursday, a three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended its pause on U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer's June 12 ruling that Trump had unlawfully called the National Guard into federal service. Trump probably acted within his authority, the panel said, adding that his administration probably complied with the requirement to coordinate with Governor Gavin Newsom, and even if it did not, he had no authority to veto Trump's directive. "And although we hold that the president likely has authority to federalize the National Guard, nothing in our decision addresses the nature of the activities in which the federalized National Guard may engage," it wrote in its opinion. Newsom could still challenge the use of the National Guard and U.S. Marines under other laws, including the bar on using troops in domestic law enforcement, it added. The governor could raise those issues at a court hearing on Friday in front of Breyer, it said. In a post on X after the decision, Newsom vowed to pursue his challenge. "The president is not a king and is not above the law," he said. "We will press forward with our challenge to President Trump's authoritarian use of U.s. military soldiers against our citizens." Trump hailed the decision in a post on Truth Social. "This is a great decision for our country and we will continue to protect and defend law-abiding Americans," he said. "This is much bigger than Gavin, because all over the United States, if our cities, and our people, need protection, we are the ones to give it to them should state and local police be unable, for whatever reason, to get the job done." Breyer's ruling was issued in a lawsuit against Trump's action brought by Newsom. Breyer ruled that Trump violated a U.S. law governing a president's ability to take control of a state's National Guard by failing to coordinate with the governor. It also found that the conditions set out under the statute to allow this move, such as a rebellion against federal authority, did not exist. Breyer ordered Trump to return control of California's National Guard to Newsom. Hours after Breyer acted, the 9th Circuit panel had put the judge's move on hold protests and turmoil in Los Angeles over Trump's immigration raids, the president on June 7 took control of California's National Guard and deployed 4,000 troops against Newsom's wishes. Trump also ordered 700 U.S. Marines to the city after sending in the National Guard. Breyer has not yet ruled on the legality of the Marine Corps mobilization. At a court hearing on Tuesday on whether to extend the pause on Breyer's decision, members of the 9th Circuit panel questioned lawyers for California and the Trump administration on what role, if any, courts should have in reviewing Trump's authority to deploy the troops. The law sets out three conditions by which a president can federalize state National Guard forces, including an invasion, a "rebellion or danger of a rebellion" against the government or a situation in which the U.S. government is unable with regular forces to execute the country's laws. The appeals court said the final condition had probably been met because protesters hurled items at immigration authorities' vehicles, used trash dumpster as battering rams, threw Molotov cocktails and vandalized property, frustrating law enforcement. The Justice Department has said once the president determines that an emergency exists that warrants the use of the National Guard, no court or state governor can review that decision. The appeals court rejected that argument. The protests in Los Angeles ran for more than a week before they ebbed, leading Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to lift a curfew she had imposed. In its June 9 lawsuit California said Trump's deployment of the National Guard and the Marines violated the state's sovereignty and U.S. laws that forbid federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement. The Trump administration has denied that troops are engaging in law enforcement, saying they are instead protecting federal buildings and personnel, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The 9th Circuit panel is comprised of two judges appointed by Trump during his first term and one appointee of Democratic former President Joe Biden. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Seah Kian Peng to be nominated Speaker of Parliament; Indranee Rajah will remain Leader of the House
Mr Seah Kian Peng has served in the role since 2023, and Ms Indranee Rajah has been Leader of the House since 2020. PHOTO: MDDI Seah Kian Peng to be nominated Speaker of Parliament; Indranee Rajah will remain Leader of the House SINGAPORE – Mr Seah Kian Peng will be nominated for reelection as Speaker of Parliament when the House reopens on Sept 5, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on June 20. Mr Seah is the current Speaker and has served in the role since 2023. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah has been nominated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as Leader of The House, the PMO added in its statement. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad will remain Deputy Leader. Both the Speaker and the Leader of the House are nominated by the prime minister, but the Speaker is subsequently elected by the House when it meets. Both roles do not have term limits. The Speaker is in charge of the administration of Parliament and its secretariat, and presides over its conduct. He or she also decides who has the right to speak and puts the question for the House to debate and vote on. The Speaker also acts as the representative of the House in its relations with other parliaments and welcomes visiting dignitaries. He or she also represents Parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. The Leader of the House is responsible for arranging Government business and the legislative programme of Parliament, and also proposes appropriate actions to be taken on any procedural matters arising in Parliament. He or she also moves procedural motions, such as to extend the times of sittings beyond the usual. For example, during her term as Leader, Ms Indranee has addressed and issued notes on MPs' behaviour, and wrapped up or extended debates on key issues such as the Budget and the 14th Parliament's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr Seah, who is MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC , has served as Speaker since 2023. He was nominated and elected following the resignation of the previous Speaker Mr Tan Chuan-Jin after an affair he had with fellow MP Cheng Li Hui was made public. Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development and MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, has been Leader of the House since 2020. She took over from Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. The opening of a new Parliament following a general election traditionally begins with the election of the Speaker. This will happen on Sept 5 this year, following the polls on May 3. The MPs will then be sworn in, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is scheduled to deliver an address to the 15th Parliament. The President's Address will set out the agenda and plans of the Government for its five-year term. Ng Wei Kai is a journalist at The Straits Times, where he covers politics. He writes Unpacked, a weekly newsletter on Singapore politics and policy. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Juneteenth holiday goes uncelebrated at White House as Trump complains about too many holidays
Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the US, went unmarked by President Donald Trump in 2025. FILE PHOTO: REUTERS Juneteenth holiday goes uncelebrated at White House as Trump complains about too many holidays Juneteenth, the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States, has been celebrated at the White House each June 19 since it was enshrined into law four years ago. But on June 19 , it went unmarked by the president – except for a post on social media in which he said he would get rid of some 'non-working holidays'. 'Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year,' Mr Trump said in mangled syntax, not mentioning Juneteenth by name nor acknowledging tha t June 19 was a federal holiday. 'It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!' Ms Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, indicated to reporters earlier in the day that she was not aware of any plans by Mr Trump to sign a holiday proclamation. In the past week alone, he'd issued proclamations commemorating Father's Day, Flag Day and National Flag Week, and the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill – none of which are among the 11 federal holidays. In response to a reporter's question about Juneteenth, Ms Leavitt acknowledged that June 19 was 'a federal holiday,' but noted that White House staff had shown up to work during a briefing that focused primarily on the matter of whether Mr Trump would order strikes on Iran. Mr Trump, who has often used holidays as an occasion to advance his political causes and insult critics and opponents on social media, chose the occasion of Juneteenth instead to float the idea of reducing the number of federal holidays, claiming that they are costing businesses billions of dollars. While most federal employees get those holidays off, private businesses have the choice to close or remain open. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when a Union general arrived in Galveston, Texas, nearly 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, to finally inform enslaved African Americans there that the Civil War had ended and that all enslaved people had been freed. Months later, the 13th Amendment was ratified, abolishing slavery in the final four border states that had not been subjected to Mr Lincoln's order. It is the newest federal holiday, enshrined into law in 2021 by Congress and then-President Joe Biden. Mr Trump cannot undo it without an act of Congress. The lack of revelry at the White House for a holiday that has been cherished by generations of Black Americans was perhaps not a surprise. Since returning to office, Mr Trump has moved to purge the federal government of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and sanitise - or even erase - references to Black history. Even so, the decision not to mark the holiday was an abrupt reversal from his last term, when Mr Trump issued statements on Juneteenth for three years, before it was ever a federal holiday. 'Melania and I send our warmest greetings to all those celebrating Juneteenth, a historic day recognising the end of slavery,' he wrote in 2017, extolling Major General Gordon Granger's announcement in Galveston that all slaves were free. In 2018 he invoked Mr Granger again, and praised 'the courage and sacrifice of the nearly 200,000 former enslaved and free African Americans who fought for liberty'. But Mr Trump's second term has been marked by a widespread effort to slash funding for diversity initiatives, prompting backlash from states, schools and the corporate world. Some cities and institutions that have had their funding cut reported that their Juneteenth celebrations would be smaller this year. Mr Trump's critics dug in sharply, using Juneteenth to call attention to what they called the administration's attempts to bury Black history. Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the Democratic leader, accused the White House and Mr Trump's allies of engaging in 'an intentional effort to turn back the clock' and divide the country by banning books about Black history, dismantling DEI programs and undermining the citizenship protections of the 14th Amendment. 'Today, we celebrate the freedom that Black Americans long fought for and the rich culture that grew from that great struggle,' Mr Jeffries, the first Black leader of a party in either chamber of Congress, said in a statement. 'That struggle roars on.' The holiday also came as Mr Trump marked a new low in his relationship with the NAACP, the oldest and largest US civil rights organisation, which said this week that it would not invite Mr Trump to its national convention, breaking from a 116-year tradition of inviting the president to its marquee event. Mr Biden established Juneteenth as a federal holiday in 2021, after interest in the history of the day was renewed during the summer of 2020 and the nationwide protests that followed the police killings of Black Americans including Mr George Floyd and Ms Breonna Taylor. During his presidency, Mr Biden held a concert on the South Lawn of the White House to commemorate the holiday and gave remarks. On t he evening of Ju ne 19, Mr Biden attended a Juneteenth celebration at Reedy Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Galveston, sitting at the head of the church next to local leaders. He was honoured for signing the federal holiday into law and praised for his appointment of Ms Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Speakers did not name Mr Trump, but criticised his administration's policies, especially on diversity. 'Black history is American history,' Mr Biden told the crowd to cheers, according to a livestream of his remarks. Mr Biden also took to task those who thought Juneteenth should not be a federal holiday. 'Some say to you and to me that this doesn't deserve to be a federal holiday,' Mr Biden said. 'They don't want to remember what we all remember – the moral stain, the moral stain of slavery.' NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
