A/HRC/31/38 V. Activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights A. Establishment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul 44. On 28 March 2014, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 25/25, in which it requested OHCHR to follow up urgently on the recommendations made by the commission of inquiry on human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in its report, and to provide the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea with increased support, including through the establishment of a field-based structure. 45. In paragraph 10 of resolution 25/25, the Council mandated the field-based structure to strengthen monitoring and documentation of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to ensure accountability, to enhance engagement and capacity-building with the Governments of all States concerned, civil society and other stakeholders, and to maintain visibility of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including through sustained communications, advocacy and outreach initiatives. 46. On 22 May 2015, the Government of the Republic of Korea and OHCHR concluded an interim host country agreement for the establishment of the field-based structure in Seoul. 47. On 23 June 2015, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights inaugurated the field-based structure in Seoul during his four-day visit to the Republic of Korea; he also met with government officials, representatives of civil society and people who had left the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. During his visit, the High Commissioner emphasized the importance of addressing fundamental human rights as an integral part of ensuring peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. 48. An initial team of human rights officers began implementing the mandate of OHCHR (Seoul) immediately after the inauguration of the office, which comprises six staff members: the office Representative and Deputy Representative, two human rights officers, one administrative member of staff and one interpreter. 49. OHCHR (Seoul) is funded from the regular budget of the United Nations and hosted by Seoul metropolitan government. Additional funding is sought to carry out core office activities outlined in Council resolution 25/25, including monitoring, capacity-building and outreach activities. B. Activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Seoul 50. In accordance with Council resolution 25/25, OHCHR (Seoul) has carried out monitoring and documentation of the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, outreach and capacity-building. It has been engaging with Governments, civil society and people who have left the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as with United Nations entities and humanitarian workers operating inside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and other stakeholders. 51. The work of OHCHR (Seoul) builds on the work of the commission of inquiry. The field office has been gathering individual testimonies to contribute to possible future 10

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