North Korea Crimes Against Humanity? Kim Jong Un Should Be Investigated, UN Official Says

A United Nations official has said that the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, must be investigated for crimes against humanity after it was revealed that North Korea had been involved in “unspeakable atrocities,” such as murder, abduction, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, persecution and starvation.

The recommendation to consider whether Kim has committed crimes against humanity comes after a new report from the U.N. Human Rights Council indicated Kim or members at the highest level of North Korean government were involved in those acts. The U.N. Human Rights Council recommended that an official note be written to Kim to express the council’s decision to investigate him, according to the Independent.

“[It should] advise him and other senior leaders that they may be investigated and, if found to be responsible, held accountable for crimes against humanity committed under their leadership,” Marzuki Darusman, the special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, said.

The report that Darusman put together also recommends that three experts should be appointed to determine the best legal path forward to deal with Kim and help victims in a “creative and practical” way.

The U.N. recommendation comes as the allied forces of the United States and South Korea have been experiencing increasing tension with North Korea. The United States flew four U.S. F-22 stealth fighter jets in South Korean airspace Wednesday to show Kim and his country that the military alliance with the South remained strong. North Korea has been engaged in military activity lately that has drawn criticism and condemnation internationally. As North Korea has appeared to ramp up its nuclear missile program, South Korea has threatened economic recourse that could destroy the Kim regime.

At the same time, Kim has been accused of purging many top officials in his administration recently.