North Korean Human Rights Record

The U.S. Department of State says that North Korea has not taken any measures to improve its abysmal human rights record.

The report submitted to the U.S. Congress by the department's special envoy on North Korean human rights said that Pyongyang's conduct showed disrespect for the North Korean people and did not conform to international standards.

The report projected that as many as 200-thousand were imprisoned in political concentration camps in the reclusive communist state, adding that the North Korean people were robbed of their rights of speech, religion, assembly, fair trial and emigration.

It pointed out that Pyongyang was in complete control of information and only supported those close to North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

[Radio Korea International]