A/HRC/10/18 page 16 universal periodic review process instituted by the Human Rights Council, under which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will be reviewed on its human rights performance, can also be a way to address these issues and to encourage the State to revamp its national system and overcome past excesses, bearing in mind the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations. 59. From the perspective of the provision of help and assistance, it is evident that the State has been failing to provide basic necessities for its people, particularly with regard to freedom from want and freedom from fear. To remedy the food situation, full access to needy groups and adequate monitoring are required, including periodic assessment of nutrition and other elements of personal welfare to ensure that adequate provisions are available and accessible to those in need. 60. Given that the State is unable to provide adequately for its people, it should not clamp down on people’s activities which help to provide for their own basic needs. Furthermore, allocations from the national budget should be directed away from militarization to a more people-oriented policy. 61. Finally, one clear challenge is how to ensure greater participation of people so that they may enjoy the basics of life and respect for human rights. This pertains to the power base from top to bottom and bottom to top, and is interwoven with the call to democratize. Unless steps are taken for greater participation in the development process, the inhabitants of the country will continue to suffer because of the ailing state of affairs and the failing affairs of the State. IV. COMMUNICATIONS 62. The Special Rapporteur, together with the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, addressed a joint communication to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on 20 March 2008 concerning the alleged public executions of 15 nationals. The 13 women and 2 men were reportedly accused of planning to cross into a neighbouring country to receive economic assistance with the help of relatives living abroad. The Government did not reply to the communication. 63. The Government also failed to reply to a communication, sent by the Special Rapporteur on 7 April 2008, requesting clarification on the whereabouts and safety of 22 nationals. The group, comprising 14 women and 8 men, including 3 teenagers, were returned to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea after they reportedly drifted by accident to southern waters in the western sea near Yongpyong Island. V. COUNTRY VISITS A. Republic of Korea 64. The Special Rapporteur paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 27 to 31 October 2008. The purpose of the visit was to assess the impact of the human rights situation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the Republic of Korea.