A/HRC/43/58 VII. Conclusion 50. The human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues to be serious. The stalled political negotiations have pushed the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to focus on an unattainable level of selfreliance. The international sanctions appear to be having a negative impact on the fulfilment of economic rights, and the closing of borders in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may further aggravate the situation. These conditions also pose a challenge to progress in the area of human rights. The Special Rapporteur therefore calls for more concrete action and greater efforts to engage with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in all areas: in efforts to sign a peace agreement; in negotiations on denuclearization; in reviewing sanctions; in ensuring humanitarian access; and, critically, in the protection and promotion of human rights. Concerned States, the entire international community and the United Nations system should seize opportunities to engage. The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea should equally take active steps in those areas with a view to promoting human rights and ending violations against its own population. 51. The Special Rapporteur has encouraged the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to engage with the international human rights mechanisms. The Government has made small steps by, for instance, actively participating in the universal periodic review process of the Human Rights Council and accepting 132 recommendations.70 Engagement in dialogue and cooperation – by the international community accessing the country and citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea making more connections with the outside world – is critical for addressing human rights concerns in the country. The Special Rapporteur encourages the members of the Human Rights Council to build consensus on the optimal approach to facilitate constructive engagement with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and calls on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the treaty bodies, the special procedures and the Human Rights Council to continue their efforts in that regard. VIII. Recommendations 52. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: (a) Take steps to progressively achieve the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living, including the right to food and the rights to water and sanitation, using the maximum of the State’s available resources and prioritizing the most marginalized communities; (b) Create an environment where people can freely and safely enjoy their right to earn a living through work by reviewing the Criminal Code and other relevant legislation and by countering widespread corruption; (c) Carry out research and release statistical and other data that will allow for an assessment to be undertaken of the impact of international sanctions on the economic and social rights of the people; (d) Review the Criminal Code and other laws to redefine the acts that constitute “threats to national security” and review the necessity and proportionality of restrictions on freedom of information; (e) Release detailed information about kwanliso (political prison camps) and invite independent international monitoring bodies to monitor them; 70 A/HRC/42/10/Add.1. 17