Summary of inter-Korean news this week

NK weekly-inter-Korean news

Summary of inter-Korean news this week

SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of inter-Korean news this week.

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25 pct of N. Korean defectors from near Punggye-ri nuclear test site show chromosome mutations: data

SEOUL -- A quarter of North Korean defectors from regions near the northeastern Punggye-ri nuclear test site have shown chromosome mutations possibly attributable to exposure to radioactivity, data showed Monday.

Radioactive exposure tests conducted in 2024 by the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (KIRAMS) on 35 North Korean defectors from eight regions near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site found that 12 of them, or 34 percent, showed chromosome mutations possibly linked to radiation exposure, according to the unification ministry.

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S. Korea considering whether to join as co-sponsor of U.N. resolution on N.K. human rights this year

SEOUL -- South Korea is considering whether to join a co-sponsor of this year's U.N. resolution on North Korean human rights, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

Seoul is weighing whether to drop out as a co-sponsor of the resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea, a draft of which has been submitted for adoption at the 61st U.N. Human Rights Council later this month, sources familiar with the matter said.

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N. Korea forecast to boost status, role of parliament: unification ministry

SEOUL -- North Korea appears to be boosting the status and role of its parliament, the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA), a move that may lead to increased legislation supporting ruling party policies, the unification ministry in Seoul said Wednesday.

The ministry made the assessment after North Korea held the first session of the newly elected 15th SPA earlier this week, following the ruling party's first congress in five years last month.

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Seoul sees no reason to push U.N. human rights resolution against N. Korea: unification minister

SEOUL -- Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday that South Korea sees no reason to push for a United Nations resolution denouncing human rights violations in North Korea, suggesting such a move could conflict with its commitment not to engage in hostility against Pyongyang.

Chung made the remarks as Seoul is reportedly weighing the option of not co-sponsoring this year's annual human rights resolution against North Korea, scheduled for adoption at the U.N. Human Rights Council later this month.

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