Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea A/RES/73/180 Noting the urgency and importance of the issue of international abductions and of the immediate return of all abductees, as well as the long years of suffering experienced by abductees and their families, expressing grave concern at the lack of positive action by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since the investigations on all the Japanese nationals commenced on the basis of the government-level consultations held between the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea and Japan in May 2014, and expecting the resolution of all issues related to the Japanese nationals, in particular the return of all abductees, to be achieved at the earliest possible date, Noting also the urgency and importance of the issue of separated families, and in this regard welcoming the resumption of the reunions of separated families across the border in August 2018 and the commitments made on this issue at the inter-Korean summit held on 19 September 2018 to strengthen humanitarian cooperation to fundamentally resolve the issue of separated families, Welcoming and further encouraging the efforts of Member States to raise international awareness about the human rights situation in the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea, and noting that human rights, including gender equality, are intrinsically linked to peace and security, Welcoming the ongoing diplomatic efforts, and noting the importance of dialogue and engagements for the improvement of the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country, Underlining the efforts of the Secretary-General to contribute to improving inter-Korean relations and promoting reconciliation and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the well-being of the Korean people, 1. Condemns the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea, including those which the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 22/13 of 21 March 2013, 14 has said may amount to crimes against humanity, and the continuing impunity for such violations; 2. Expresses its very serious concern at: (a) The persistence of continuing reports of violations of human rights, including the detailed findings made by the commission of inquiry in its report, 2 such as: (i) Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including inhuman conditions of detention; rape; public executions; extrajudicial and arbitrary detention; the absence of due process and the rule of law, including fair trial guarantees and an independent judiciary; extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions; the imposition of the death penalty for political and religious reasons; collective punishments extending up to three generations; and the extensive use of forced labour; (ii) The existence of an extensive system of political prison camps, where a vast number of persons are deprived of their liberty and subjected to deplorable conditions, including forced labour, and where alarming violations of human rights are perpetrated; __________________ 14 4/10 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/68/53), chap. IV, sect. A. 18-22276