UNITED NATIONS THIRD COMMITTEE: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Statement by Mr. David Hamer, Adviser, Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations, New York
29 October 2025
Thank you Chair.
Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her sobering report and reiterates our deep concern over the DPRK’s systematic disregard for human rights, both within and beyond its borders.
We are alarmed by credible reports of increased transnational repression, including enforced disappearances, and forced labour of overseas workers. We continue to condemn in the strongest possible terms DPRK’s military cooperation with Russia through the export of its ballistic missiles to Russia and the training of DPRK troops. These actions would violate international law, and underscore the regime’s prioritisation of militarisation over the welfare of its people.
Australia condemns the continued repression of escapees, including cyberattacks targeting diaspora communities. We echo calls for the international community to respect the principle of non-refoulement for people from the DPRK who are at risk of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment upon repatriation.
We welcome the DPRK’s partial engagement with the UPR, but urge full cooperation with UN mechanisms and access for humanitarian actors.
Australia further commends the work of civil society organisations to preserve testimonies for future accountability.
We ask, what further steps can Member States take to protect escapees and overseas workers from transnational repression, and ensure accountability for actions committed beyond DPRK borders?
Thank you.