Mr. President,
We extend cordial greetings to the delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). We acknowledge the nation's commitment to the Universal Periodic Review, which demonstrates its political will to make further progress in the field of human rights, without interference in its internal affairs.
It further underscores the significance of the UPR as opposed to punitive mechanisms imposed against the will of the States concerned, as in the case of the DPRK, which yield no effective results.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has been the victim of hostility and antagonism from ineffective and interfering mechanisms imposed by this Council form many years. Such mechanisms should be replaced by respectful dialogue and constructive cooperation to facilitate the implementation of the accepted recommendations.
We welcome the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's acceptance of 143 recommendations, including the three made by Cuba. We acknowledge the country's continued efforts to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework aimed at the protection of human rights.
We wish the Democratic People's Republic of Korea every success in implementing the accepted recommendations and express our support for the adoption of the report.
Thank you.