A/HRC/7/20 page 22 they might be intimidated by the authorities, if the identity of the people who have sought refuge in the Republic of Korea are known to the former. Guarantees of the safety of family members and their reunification are thus essential. 79. Fourthly, the Republic of Korea has supported the work of the Special Rapporteur, particularly in regard to his visits to the country and the Special Rapporteur is greatly appreciative of this. There are various key links between the authorities, civil society and other entities and the United Nations on human rights issues. There may also be room in future for the establishment of an office of OHCHR in North-East Asia, and the support of the region on the issue will be essential. 80. In view of the above and the changing political scenario in the country, the Special Rapporteur underlines the following considerations: − The Special Rapporteur welcomes the country’s membership of various human rights-related treaties, including the Convention on the Status of Refugees, and the country’s signature of various instruments on human smuggling and trafficking, and invites other countries to ratify these treaties and ensure their effective implementation at the national and other levels. − The Special Rapporteur highlights the various human rights issues mentioned above in inter-Korean relations, including the impact and the aftermath of the Korean war, such as the issue of POWs, missing persons and separated families; humanitarian aid to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with effective monitoring to ensure that it reaches the target groups; the grant of assistance and protection of those who seek refuge from the country in question; and cooperation with the United Nations and other entities on human rights. − The Special Rapporteur invites a more comprehensive support system for those who seek refuge, including longer term facilities to help them adapt to their new lives; social, educational, employment and psychological back-up, with family- and community-based networks; more family reunion possibilities; more protection to be afforded to those who do not receive the protection of other countries; and a more active information campaign using success stories of those who have settled in the Republic of Korea to ensure a positive image and nurture a sense of empathy for those who exit from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in search of refuge elsewhere. − The Special Rapporteur is encouraged by various cooperation activities between the Republic of Korea and the United Nations, and looks forward to the further strengthening of such ties. − The Special Rapporteur recognizes the catalytic leverage that the Republic of Korea may have on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and welcomes constructive actions at the bilateral and other levels to increase the humanitarian space in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the promotion and protection of human rights.