North Korean media condemns South's 'double-faced attitude' after Seoul participates in UN human rights resolution

Seoul: North Korean media on Sunday launched a scathing attack on South Korea over its participation in a United Nations’ resolution condemning the reclusive country’s human right abuses. [caption id=“attachment_5033521” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. Reuters[/caption] On 17 December, the UN passed a resolution at the General Assembly, criticising the “long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights” by the North Korean government, Yonhap News Agency reported. Terming South Korea’s participation a “double-faced attitude”, Uriminzokkiri, an external propaganda outlet of the North said: “The South Korean authorities expressed support for the US’ anti-Pyongyang ploy to condemn the human rights situation.” “In front (of us), they (South Korea) talks of trust and harmony, while it follows the foreign forces’ ploy behind our back,” it added. Maeari, another propaganda website, lashed out at the countries that participated in the resolution, giving a stern warning that the “followers of the US will pay dearly for their provocative and malign acts.” In response, South Korea’s foreign ministry stated that it backed the resolution for making joint efforts with the international community for “substantive improvement” in the human rights of North Korean citizens. The ministry added that these concerted efforts would further accelerate the ongoing thaw in ties with North Korea and would lead to the establishment of long-lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. The adoption of the resolution comes even as South Korea continues to reach out to North Korea in an effort to reset their frayed ties and improve cooperation in various projects and programmes.