S. Korea reaffirms support for U.N. human rights body after U.S. withdraws under Trump

▲ This AFP photo shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking during a press conference with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, 2025. (Yonhap)

S Korea-Trump-UN body

S. Korea reaffirms support for U.N. human rights body after U.S. withdraws under Trump

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea continues to support the U.N. Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) efforts to promote human rights, the foreign ministry said Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump said his country will quit the international body.

Trump signed an executive order Tuesday (U.S. time) to withdraw the United States from the UNHRC, citing what he called bias against Israel, repeating the step he took during his first term in office.

"We express our support for the role and efforts of the U.N. Human Rights Council in protecting and promoting human rights globally," the ministry said when asked to comment on Trump's decision.

"We will remain active in participating in the Council's efforts and actively engage in discussions on major international human rights issues, including North Korean human rights," it said.

South Korea is serving as an elected UNHRC member for the 2024-27 term.

Trump's orders also extended the halt to funding for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees, and called for a review of international organizations, including UNESCO.

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