EU calls for probe into N Korea abuse claims

THE European Union, backed by countries including the US, expressed concern yesterday at reports of grave and systematic abuses in North Korea, including “infanticide in prison and labour camps”.

The EU, in a resolution presented to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on behalf of 37 countries, also called for the appointment of a special UN investigator to go to the reclusive, Stalinist country.

It was the second year in a row the EU had brought a resolution on North Korea at the annual six-week session, which will vote on a raft of proposals late next week. Last year, the UN forum issued its first ever condemnation of abuses there.