asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they intend to communicate their concerns over the alleged human rights violations occurring in North Korea to the United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Ban Ki-Moon; whether they will invite him to give his public backing to the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Vitit Muntarbhorn; and whether they will invite him to pursue the cause of human rights in North Korea at high levels within the United Nations. [HL537]

United Nations Secretary-General-designate, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, has already stated that he will actively look for a diplomatic solution to resolving the issues posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The DPRK human rights situation is a matter of serious concern to the Government. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary previously raised DPRK human rights issues with Mr Ban when he was Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, and they again discussed DPRK issues during Mr Ban's visit to London on 5 December. We will continue to stress to Mr Ban the importance of maintaining international pressure on DPRK to improve its human rights record and to allow UN Special Rapporteur Vitit Muntarbhorn access to North Korea.

My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, hosted a meeting on 16 November at the House of Commons, where Mr Muntarbhorn addressed Members of both Houses and non-governmental organisations.