The power to criticize

South Korea, with its power and wealth, decides to challenge North Korea’s human rights record like a web designing blogger from Jersey

South Korea is reported to be planning to challenge North Korea on its human rights record, indicating a harder line from Seoul’s new government.

Reports quoting unnamed officials say the South is set to vote for a draft UN resolution expressing deep concern over the rights violations in the North.

The South has frequently abstained from such votes, fearful of souring relations with its communist neighbour.

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva will consider the resolution this week.

The South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo quoted an official as saying the new government, which took charge in February, regards human rights as “a universal value”.

“The government will show the first example of concrete action in the upcoming UNHRC vote,” the official said.

Really? And the report puts criticize in quotations? Well, it’s a small step forward but if a certain blogger from Jersey were South Korea’s president, a little more than will happen than bringing it up at a meeting.