Vice Minister Kim Jina Attends High-Level Segment of 61st Session of UN Human Rights Council

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina visited Geneva, Switzerland, from February 23 to 25 to attend the High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the annual high-level meeting of the UN on human rights.

In her keynote speech on the afternoon of February 23, Vice Minister Kim assessed the global human rights situation as the Human Rights Council marks its 20th anniversary this year, and emphasized that, as a member of the Council for the 2025-2027 term, the Republic of Korea will actively contribute to the global norm-setting for the protection and promotion of human rights. She specifically highlighted the need for a human rights-based approach with regards to the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and explained the Korean government's concrete ways of contribution, including bridging development gaps in areas such as youth, climate change, digital technology and health.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Kim stated that the Korean government would join the international community's efforts to eliminate sexual violence in conflict and would continue its efforts to restore honor and dignity of "comfort women" victims. She also explained that the Korean government will continue to strengthen protection for the victims from the spread of false information, including pursuant to the recently passed amendment to the "Comfort Women" Victims Act.

Vice Minister Kim articulated that the Korean government will closely cooperate with the international community to promote the substantive enhancement of human rights of the people in the DPRK and will pursue an inter-Korean dialogue to address humanitarian issues such as those involving separated families, abductees, detainees and prisoners of war.

Following this multilateral meeting, Vice Minister Kim met with Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Korean government and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including on the DPRK human rights issue. The two sides also discussed activity plans related to new technologies and human rights, and local governments and human rights -- agendas led by Korea as a member of the Human Rights Council.

Earlier in the morning, Vice Minister Kim also met with Pierre Krähenbühl, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Recognizing the need for adherence to and respect for international humanitarian law in the face of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis caused by the worldwide spread of armed conflict, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation between Korea and the ICRC.

The High-Level Segment of this Human Rights Council session served as an opportunity for the Korean government to demonstrate its firm commitment as a member of the Human Rights Council to contributing to international efforts to protect and promote human rights. The Republic of Korea, as a responsible global power, will continue to play a more proactive role in addressing global challenges by actively participating in international discussions, including on human rights.