North Korea Claims 'Western Racism,' Foreign Ministry Expresses "Regret... Condemnation"

North Korea Criticizes Western Racism and Child Abuse in 'Human Rights White Paper' Publication
Foreign Ministry Expresses Regret Over "Groundless Claims"
North Korea Does Not Respect Basic Rights Either

Lim Suseok, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Im Soo-seok, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on North Korea's publication of a so-called 'Human Rights White Paper' criticizing the West on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stating that "North Korea does not respect even the most basic rights" and that he "finds it deplorable."

At a regular briefing on the 12th, Spokesperson Im expressed "deep regret that North Korea is using human rights to justify its nuclear and missile provocations while making groundless claims about the human rights situation in the West, including the United States." He added, "The government, together with the international community, continues to urge North Korea to make sincere efforts," and said, "On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we hope North Korea listens to the voices of the international community and reflects on itself."

North Korea's 'Choson Human Rights Research Association' reportedly published a white paper on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (December 10), according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). In the article about the white paper, KCNA claimed that "human dignity and rights are being brutally trampled upon in the United States and Western countries, where various social evils such as gun crimes, racial discrimination, police violence, and abuse of women and children are rampant."