The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, Marzuki Darusman, said the international community ought to consider dismantling the North Korean regime — it’s the only way the 80,000 to 100,000 prisoners in the nation’s camps will win freedom.
“It would be, I think, the first order of the day to get these 80,000 to 100,000 [prisoners] immediately released, and these camps disbanded,” Mr. Darusman said, The Associated Press reported. “But that can only happen if this cult leadership system is completely dismantled. And the only way to do that is if the Kim [Jong-un] family is effectively displaced, is effectively removed from the scene, and a new leadership comes into place.”
It’s not common to hear a U.N. official speak so strongly against a nation.
His remarks come on the heels of a resolution passed by the General Assembly in December that holds North Korea’s leader, Mr. Kim, responsible for the country’s abysmal human rights record, which includes wrongful detention, torture and executions, AP said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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