A/HRC/46/51 significant drop from 1,047 in 2019.5 Escapees continue to be reportedly repatriated to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from China, which may compromise the principle of non-refoulement. With the limited international presence inside the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the reduction in escapee arrivals in the Republic of Korea, who provide first-hand information, the paucity of information on the human rights situation in the country is worse than ever. 9. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea convened the 8th session of the Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea, the only political party existing in the country, on 5-12 January 2021 amid the deteriorating economic situation, further aggravated by COVID-19 and seasonal cycles of natural disasters. The centralization of the leadership continued with Kim Jong Un elected as the General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. General Secretary Kim Jung Un mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic as “[l]ast year was a quite difficult year, in the circumstances of the world public health crisis that lasted unprecedentedly long in history…”6 The discussions at the Congress appeared to focus on strengthening military and strategic capabilities, a new five-year economic plan, and the eradication of combating anti-socialist phenomenon. The leadership admitted the failure of the previous five-year economic plan. While no details were disclosed about the new programme, there were some indications that the State will exert greater control over the economy against private market initiatives. The agenda also included solutions to improve living standards by achieving planned and continuous growth of production in agriculture, light industry and the fishing industry and by developing cities and counties.7 General Secretary Kim Jong Un has recently stressed that the country is facing its worst-ever difficulties, and criticized officials in control and overseeing the implementation of economic policies.8 10 Regarding the peace process, General Secretary Kim Jong Un criticized the Republic of Korea for failing to adhere to its commitments but remained open to engagement on the condition that the Republic of Korea authorities strictly control and root out any abnormal and anti-reunification conduct and that United States withdraw policies which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea considers hostile. Leading up to the Congress, the Government implemented an 80-day loyalty campaign wherein every citizen provided mandatory long-hour labour to fulfill or exceed newly assigned quotas in all areas in order to finish state projects including typhoon rehabilitation efforts and COVID-19 prevention campaigns, and boost national productivity in agriculture, coal mining and other areas.9 On 18 January, new Cabinet members were appointed and there are no women in the current cabinet. On a positive note, media reported that in November 2020 the Government ordered a nationwide survey to measure illiteracy in the country, with the aim of eradicating it.10 III. Accountability for crimes against Humanity A. Background 11. The human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was formally addressed by the United Nations for the first time in 2003. After advocacy by civil society organizations and academia, the Commission on Human Rights adopted resolution 16/4, expressing its deep concern about reports of systemic, widespread and grave violations 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea, Policy on North Korean Defectors< Data & Statistics< South-North Relations< 통일부_영문 (unikorea.go.kr). KCNA Watch on 6 January 2021 available at https://kcnawatch.jp/newstream/1609914831848334469/supreme-leader-kim-jong-un-makes-opening-speech-at-8th-wpk-congress/. KCNA Watch on 7 January 2021 available at https://kcnawatch.jp/newstream/1609970752674090795/supreme-leader-kim-jong-un-continues-report-on-work-of-7th-central-committee-ofwpk/. Yonhap News on 18 January 2021 available at https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210118000352325?section=nk/nk; and News 1 on 18 January 2021 available at https://www.news1.kr/photos/details/?4578359. NK News on 5 October available at North Korean Politburo starts ‘80-day battle' ahead of January Party Congress | NK News. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/illiteracy-11252020000636.html. 5