Living conditions and respect for human rights are no better under North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-Un than under his ruthless father Kim Jong-Il, according to a UN official Friday who monitors the situation there.
Under the reclusive country’s new leadership, about 16 million people continue to suffer from chronic food insecurity and malnutrition under the nation’s new leadership, said Marzuki Darusman, a United Nations special rapporteur.
“Overall, there was no improvement in the human rights situation in the DPRK,” Darusman said.
“I continue to be concerned with both the human rights and humanitarian situation in the country.”
The North proclaimed Kim Jong-Un the “great successor” after his father — who ruled the impoverished but nuclear-armed nation of 25 million for 17 years — died of a heart attack on December 17.
Darusman — who was slated to present a report on the situation in North Korea to the United Nations General Assembly Friday — urged Pyongyang to rethink its “military first policy” and relocate enough resources to improving living standards.
Calling food scarcity a “chronic yearly problem,” he appeared pessimistic about prospects going forward, as he acknowledged the lack of reliable information about in the hermetic country.
“We keep second guessing what is happening there,” he said, adding that the “only way forward is through substantive reforms.”
However, “any speculation on an immediate collapse of the regime is not realistic.”
Darusman — who has not been allowed to travel to North Korea by authorities there — also said there has been “no further development” on kidnappings of Japanese and South Koreans abducted by Pyongyang.
No improvement in rights, quality of life in NKorea: UN
