HMG says it is considering how to take forward a BBC report into its report “Beatings and Forced Abortions, Life in a North Korea Prison” which outlined multiple allegations of rape, forced abortions, and other forms of sexual assault within North Korea’s penal system and the report of Korea Future Initiative into religious persecution in North Korea.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL7669):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking, if any, to hold to account the 597 perpetrators of human rights violations that are identified in the report by Korea Future The North Korean Prison Database, published on 28 March. (HL7669) 

Tabled on: 05 April 2022

This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:

1. To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the findings in the report by Korea Future The North Korean Prison Database, published on 28 March; and what steps they are taking to hold accountable those who oversee the persecution of religious minorities, including Christians, in North Korea. (HL7671) 
   Tabled on: 05 April 2022 

Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: 

The UK is deeply concerned by reports, including from Korea Future Initiative, which tell of serious human rights violations in DPRK, including the specific persecution of those who are caught practising religion. We are reviewing the Report’s findings and recommendations and considering how the UK Government can continue to address the appalling human rights situation in the DPRK.

The UK co-sponsored the resolution adopted at the Human Rights Council on 1 April 2022 which seeks to shine a spotlight on the DPRK’s human rights record.

In July 2020, the UK designated two DPRK entities through the Global Human Rights (GHR) sanctions regime, including the Ministry of State Security Bureau 7 and Ministry of People’s Security Correctional Bureau, which together are responsible for the country’s notorious prison camp system.

The UK continues to urge improvements in the DPRK human rights situation, and regularly raises these concerns, including on prison camps, in international fora and directly with the DPRK authorities.

Date and time of answer: 22 Apr 2022 at 10:16.

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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL7670):

Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the BBC report Beatings and Forced Abortions, Life in a North Korea Prison, published on 28 March, which outlined multiple allegations of rape, forced abortions, and other forms of sexual assault within North Korea’s penal system. (HL7670)

Tabled on: 05 April 2022

Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: 

The UK remains deeply concerned by the appalling human rights situation in North Korea, including within prison camps. We are reviewing the BBC report’s findings and recommendations and considering how the UK Government can continue to address the appalling human rights situation in the DPRK.

We regularly raise our concerns about human rights violations directly with the DPRK authorities and in international fora. On 1 April 2022, the UK co-sponsored the resolution adopted at the Human Rights Council which seeks to shine a spotlight on the DPRK’s human rights record.

In July 2020, the UK designated two DPRK entities through the Global Human Rights (GHR) sanctions regime, including the Ministry of State Security Bureau 7 and Ministry of People’s Security Correctional Bureau, which together are responsible for the country’s notorious prison camp system.

Date and time of answer: 22 Apr 2022 at 10:16.