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Seoul has for the first time decided to support a UN resolution on North Korea's human rights abuses when it comes up for the vote in the UN General Assembly. The government has been absent or abstained from votes on resolutions condemning the rights situation in the Stalinist country, three times in the UN Commission on Human Rights between 2003 and 2005 and once in the General Assembly. "We expect that the decision will contribute to promoting human rights as a universal value in North Korea,¡± the Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday but added, "We will maintain the principle of reconciliation and cooperation toward the North and make continuous efforts to bring about real improvements in the human rights situation there including food issues.¡±
Some 15 minutes after the statement, the Unification Ministry sought to play down its significance. "The decision aims to express sympathy with concerns in the international community about North Korea's human rights situation,¡± a ministry official told reporters. "There is no change in the government's policy to bring about improvements in North Korea's human rights problems through dialogue rather than sanctions or restrictions.¡± Observers say it is contradictory for the government to vote in favor of a UN resolution aiming to pressure North Korea while saying it opposes pressure against North Korea. As if to stress the point, the Foreign Ministry denied suggestions that the decision has to do with former foreign minister Ban Ki-moon being elected UN secretary-general, but the Unification Ministry admitted this was true.
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North Korea human rights activists take to the streets in Seoul on Thursday calling for the government to vote for a UN resolution on Pyongyang's rights abuses.
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The inconsistency highlights President Roh Moo-hyun¡¯s dilemma between consideration for Ban and the moods of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Government officials say Roh was heartened by Ban's success amid record-low approval ratings for the government. "Roh took great pride in making Ban the next UN secretary-general and was worried that the nation's position on the UN resolution might cause problems even before Ban takes office in January,¡± an official said. If the UN chief¡¯s home country declines to back the world body¡¯s efforts to hold one of the world¡¯s worst rights offenders to account, it would mean a significant loss of face for Ban.
Another factor is the close attention from the international community to what Seoul is doing after Seoul on Monday said it will take no additional steps to sanction the North for its October nuclear test under UN Security Council Resolution 1718. But the government remains determined to avoid provoking the North, and Thursday¡¯s mixed messages send a signal to Kim Jong-il that Seoul had no choice, pundits say.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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