North Korea criticizes European Union human rights resolution and tests missiles

North Korea has told the European Union to mind its own business after the bloc introduced a draft United Nations resolution addressing human rights abuses, Euronews reported on Thursday. State media reported the response as Pyongyang continues to face long-standing accusations from the United Nations regarding prison camps, severe restrictions on freedom of expression, and limited access to information. [1]

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated last year that human rights in North Korea have shown no improvement over the past decade and have worsened in many cases, according to Euronews. The report comes as the United Nations General Assembly has previously adopted resolutions condemning North Korea for its human rights record. [1]

Alongside its statements to the European Union, North Korea conducted fresh weapons tests on Wednesday, UPI and the South China Morning Post reported. Pyongyang test-fired a new air defense missile system and held a strike drill with long-range strategic cruise missiles, marking its fourth round of weapons tests in a week according to UPI. [2][4]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected multiple missiles launched from the Sondok area toward the sea. Pyongyang, which has Pyongyang as its capital city, borders China and Russia to the north and South Korea to the south. [12][14]

Analysts told the South China Morning Post that North Korea is preparing for prolonged confrontation with the United States following Democratic gains in the American midterm elections. Recent weapons tests indicate Pyongyang will rely more on ties with Moscow and Beijing rather than expecting diplomatic talks with Washington. [4]