U.N. Council Encourages Human Rights Investigation of North Korea

The United Nations announced Thursday that it believes North Korea should be investigated for human rights violations.

Michael Kirby, who led the U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea, said that he believes North Korea's leaders, including Kim Jong Un and others, should be brought before the International Criminal Court to face alleged crimes against humanity.

Kirby spoke in New York this week, encouraging the U.N.'s Security Council to not soften its perspective on North Korea despite the country's recent decision to free captive American Jeffrey Fowle, who was imprisoned in the country after leaving a Bible in a nightclub during a tourist visit.

 "The question that is before the United Nations now is when we face such a moment of truth, will the United Nations back away because of the steps belatedly taken by North Korea in recent weeks? And my hope is the answer to that question will be no. We don't back away," Kirby said. "We stand for the principles of the United Nations and we expect accountability for great crimes before justice. And that is the right of the people of North Korea."

Kirby also asked China to back a rights violation case against North Korea. China is one of North Korea's few international allies.

Although many have already speculated that China would veto an attempt to bring North Korea to the international court, Kirby told reporters Thursday at the New York U.N. building that a veto should not be assumed.

"I don't think a veto should be assumed," Kirby said. "China is a very great pal with great responsibilities as a permanent member. Veto is not the way China does international diplomacy. China tends to find another way."