Japan and E.U. Decides to Submit Resolution Denouncing N.K. to U.N.

The Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, reported on March 11 that Japan, Britain, France, and other European nations decided to jointly submit a resolution criticizing North Korea’s human rights record to the U.N. Human Rights Commission which will convene in Geneva, Switzerland on March 15.

Yomirui said the Japanese government took the initiative in discussing the matter with Britain, France, and Ireland, and reached the agreement to jointly resubmit the resolution since no improvement has been shown since the first such resolution was adopted in April, 2003.

It is revealed that the resolution will call on the early resolution of the abductions of Japanese, the ceasing of the capital punishment for political reasons, and the forced labor.

8. U.N. Special Envoy to Visit North Korea by the End of March

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, announced on March 10 that Morris Strong, the U.N. special envoy to North Korea, plans to visit North Korea as early as the end of March.

Special envoy Strong’s visit to North Korea is remarkable as it will take place after the clash of interests surrounding the abolition of North Korea’s nuclear development during the second round of multi-party talks last month. He visited North Korea in January and March of last year.

On the other hand, a spokesman for North Korea’s Foreign Office stated on March 10, “America’s indiscreet position (of asking North Korea to end the nuclear program) only acts to strengthen our deterrent force” and added, “We will continue to assume the necessary courses in a faster manner.”

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com