A/HRC/26/43 community had to accept its responsibility to protect the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from crimes against humanity, because the Government had manifestly failed to do so. In particular, this responsibility had be accepted in the light of the role played by the international community (and by the great powers in particular) in the division of the Korean peninsula and because of the unresolved legacy of the Korean War. These unfortunate legacies helped not only to explain the intractability of the situation of human rights but also why an effective response was imperative.14 22. In a press statement issued on 15 November 2013, upon concluding an official visit to the Republic of Korea in November 2013,15 the Special Rapporteur stressed the need to look at issues related to human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with a perspective paving the way for justice and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. In the light of the findings of the commission of inquiry, the Special Rapporteur reiterates that the primary responsibility for the human rights of the people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea lies with the Government. The international community must address the Government’s failure to do so and ensure accountability. Meanwhile, the international community cannot shy away from external factors, such as security concerns, inter-Korean relations and the regional dynamics around the peninsula and beyond, that also affect the considerations and the severely restrictive policies of the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Unless these factors are taken into account, there will be no meaningful steps towards a settlement of the Korean question, which has a direct bearing on the human rights of the people on the Korean peninsula. IV. Responses of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 23. By providing a more holistic picture of the wide-ranging and gross human rights violations committed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the findings of the commission of inquiry put an end to the decades-long cover-up of the true magnitude and gravity of the State’s atrocities against its own people. Now, not only does the world but also the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea know that the truth has been revealed, and that it is under increased scrutiny. This is powerful and can act as both a deterrent and an incentive to change course. This is one of the many reasons why the Special Rapporteur believes that change is possible. 24. Although the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has categorically rejected the commission of inquiry, the Special Rapporteur has observed some indication that it has been responding to the revelations; for instance, family reunions in the Korean Peninsula resumed in February 2014 for the first time since 2010.16 The announcement came earlier and preparations were under way, while the reunions were held shortly after the commission made its report public on 17 February 2014. A few days before the commission presented its report to the Human Rights Council and engaged in an interactive dialogue with the Council on its findings and recommendations on 17 March 2014, the Yokota family from Japan, after years of anguish since the abduction of their 13-year-old daughter Megumi in 1977, was able to meet and spend some time in Mongolia with their granddaughter and great granddaughter, who were born in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.17 Some might see these as coincidences. The Special Rapporteur believes that the 14 15 16 17 8 Ibid., para. 86. Available at www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13993&LangID=E. “Tearful Korean reunions begin; first since 2010”, Associated Press, 20 February 2014, available at http://bigstory.ap.org/article/koreas-begin-reunions-separated-families. “Meeting with abductee’s daughter could propel Tokyo-Pyongyang talks”, Asahi Shimbun, 17 March 2014, available at http://ajw.asahi.com/article/asia/korean_peninsula/AJ201403170078.