The panel of independent experts challenged North Korean officials over allegations of forced child labour, sexual abuse and trafficking in North Korea, Pyongyang’s health and education budget, and Internet access for children. Han said North Korea, whose population is 26 million, is a “people-centred socialist country... where protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of the child are given top priority ... The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed nine rounds of sanctions on North Korea since 2006, the latest earlier this month capping fuel supplies to the isolated state. The North Korean delegation replied that this was an “imaginary concept” invented by hostile forces. In addition, all children had access to the (North Korean internal) Intranet,” the summary said.

Source: bd News24 September 21, 2017 11:48 UTC