A/HRC/7/20 page 15 human rights through bilateral contacts and other tracks, such as a possible peace treaty for the Korean peninsula which could cover the question of missing persons and separated families, and the issue of abductions committed by agents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, there may be additional space to advocate more effective implementation of human rights in the national setting. 48. While much depends upon global-local political will to test the desire for transparency and responsibility, whether through softer or harder entry points, it is important to underline the long-standing and systematic nature of human rights transgressions in the country which are highly visible, substantial and exponential. II. COMMUNICATIONS 49. On 22 February 2007, the Special Rapporteur sent one communication to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, in connection with two soldiers of the country who were reportedly at risk of imminent execution. It was the understanding of the Special Rapporteur that the two soldiers, an officer and a sergeant, were the commander and vice-commander of a border post near the town of Hoeryong, in North Hamgyong province. They were reportedly arrested following a government investigation into the flow of citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea into a neighbouring country, tried and sentenced to death for assisting citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to make unauthorized visits to the neighbouring country. The Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea did not reply to this communication. 50. The Special Rapporteur notes that a variety of other communications are received by him, but they fall under the jurisdiction of other mandates. He cross-refers them to the relevant channels accordingly. III. COUNTRY VISITS A. Mongolia (15-21 December 2007) 51. The Special Rapporteur paid a visit to Mongolia from 15 to 21 December 2007. The purpose of the visit was to assess the impact of the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Mongolia. 52. The strategic position of Mongolia as a democratic country in North-East Asia - positioned between powerful neighbours and influenced by the desire for peaceful relations with all countries in the region and beyond - should be borne in mind. 53. Mongolia has been a friend to the six-party talks in the quest for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. It hosted the second meeting of the bilateral talks between Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on possible normalization of relations, complementing the six-party talks. It is exploring bilateral cooperation with the country, for example in relation to the entry of labour force from the country. The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the country also visited Mongolia during the past year.