China opposes 'politicizing' NK human rights issue

China urged the international community Friday not to "politicize" the issue of North Korea’s human rights record, again opposing a U.N. move to hold its young leader accountable for alleged rights violations.

The remarks by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei were the latest signal from Beijing that it would veto any U.N. move to condemn North Korea for its alleged dismal human rights record, as the U.N. General Assembly is expected to vote on a resolution next week against the North's human rights record.

Details of the resolution, drafted by the European Union and Japan, are unclear, but some media reports said it may try to refer North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong-un, to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

Asked about China's stance on the U.N. move, Hong replied, “Our attitude is very clear. We are opposed to politicizing the relevant issue or putting political pressure on other countries by making use of the relevant issue."

"We suggest that differences in the field of the human rights issue should be properly resolved through dialogue and cooperation," Hong told a daily press briefing. "We hope that relevant parties will enhance dialogue and cooperation and stay committed to promoting and protecting human rights as well as safeguarding the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula."

A 400-page U.N. report, published earlier this year, criticized the North Korean regime for committing "crimes against humanity,” citing widespread executions of people, torture and sexual violence.

In recent months, North Korea has made rare diplomatic efforts and undertaken a public relations blitz to defend its abysmal human rights situation, accusing Western countries of exaggerating the gravity of the issue in a scheme to undermine its communist regime. (Yonhap)