At the U.N. Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva Thursday, 29 countries approved a strongly worded resolution on the situation in North Korea. The resolution expressed what it called deep concern at reports that authorities have used torture, public executions, forced labor and forced abortions at North Korean prisons and labor camps.

North Korea rejected the U.N. criticism and threatened to leave the assembly, which it accused of having double standards. It accused the body of ignoring what it said have been U.S. human rights abuses in Iraq.

The rights commission decided to appoint an expert to scrutinize North Korea's human rights record. There was no word on who will get the post or when the investigation will begin.

VOA News