S. Korea urges N. Korea to improve human rights on 10th anniv. of UN report

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lim Soo-suk speaks during a press briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 2. Yonhap

The foreign ministry on Thursday called on North Korea to cease all provocations and work on improving the basic human rights of its people as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report.

"The government expresses deep regret over the continued violations of human rights in North Korea despite the recommendations of the report," foreign ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-suk told a regular press briefing.

Denouncing the North for prioritizing its unlawful nuclear and missile program, Lim urged Pyongyang to "immediately cease" all provocations and focus on protecting the basic rights of its people.

The government believes the report has contributed in raising awareness among the international community of the seriousness of the human rights situation in the North, he added.

The COI on Human Rights in North Korea was established in March 2013 to investigate the widespread human rights violations in the North.

In February 2014, the COI released its landmark report that accused North Korean officials of systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations and made related recommendations. (Yonhap)