South Korea to maintain backing for UN resolution

12/11/2025 16:06

South Korea will co-sponsor an annual U.N. resolution that raises concerns over North Korea's human rights situation, defying some expectations that Seoul might withhold support to avoid irking Pyongyang.



North Korea has in the past denounced the resolution, and under a previous liberal administration, Seoul did not support it in a bid to improve ties with the North.



South Korea supported the human rights resolutions between 2008 and 2018, before opting not to back them between 2019 and 2022 under former President Moon Jae-in due to fears it could have a negative impact on inter-Korean relations.



Seoul rejoined as a co-sponsor in 2023 under conservative ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol.



Liberal leader Lee Jae Myung took office in June, pledging to restore dialogue with Pyongyang to ease tensions between the two countries, but North Korea has rebuffed his efforts so far.



In late October, rights organisations including Human Rights Watch sent an open letter to Lee urging him to "take a principled stance on North Korea's grave human rights