Secretary of State John Kerry participated in a high-level discussion with foreign government leaders, United Nations officials, and members of civil society organizations on Tuesday, Sept. 23, to call attention to the ongoing, widespread, and systematic human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

This event, in which a broad array of international partners participated, focused the international spotlight on the findings of the UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in the DPRK.

The participants also called on the international community to hold accountable the institutions and individuals responsible for these egregious violations of human rights.

The United States continues to support international mechanisms to document and bring attention to the North Korean government’s human rights record, in particular the ongoing work of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK.

We stand with the rest of the international community in welcoming the comprehensive findings by the Commission of Inquiry and seeking ways to hold those responsible for serious human rights violations accountable.

For further information, please contact Jennifer R. Tarr at Tarrjr@state.gov or call 202-647-0984.