A/75/388 I. Introduction 1. To date, no cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been officially confirmed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The authorities are continuing their preventative actions, including by imposing strict border controls. The prolonged closure of the borders has resulted in a drastic decline in trade and commercial activities, affecting the overall economy and the livelihoods of the people. The COVID-19 preventative measures have made it impossible for the diplomatic presence and international organizations to continue their operations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The number of escapees from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea arriving in the Republic of Korea has declined significantly. With the limited international presence inside the country 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. 2. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has not been invited to conduct an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Owing to travel restrictions, he has also been unable to undertake any official missions to the Republic of Korea or neighbouring countries since his visit to Japan from 2 to 4 December 2019 and to Thailand from 28 to 29 November 2019. Limitations on the availability of first-hand information and the lack of opportunities to hear the voices of people from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea bring additional challenges to a comprehensive review of the human rights situation in the country. The Special Rapporteur held a series of online meetings with victims of human rights violations, their family members, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies and governments. Through that engagement, he learned of the worrying human rights situation of people impacted by the COVID-19 preventative measures, the effects of sanctions on economic and social rights, and human rights violations relating to the existing labour system in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. II. Political and security situation 3. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has not conducted any nuclear tests since September 2017. While it has not launched intercontinental ballistic missiles since November 2017, it has conducted several missiles and weapons tests and launches including short-range ballistic missiles (S/2020/151, annex, p. 4). There have been no significant developments on denuclearization and peace talks. The implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration on Peace, Prosperity and Reunification of the Korean Peninsula, adopted on 27 April 2018, has been affected by a lack of progress on denuclearization and on the lifting of sanctions. Regrettably, the agreement to open a permanent facility for family reunions and to give prio rity to video reunions has also not been implemented. 4. The human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea remains extremely serious and shows no sign of improvement or progress in advancing justice and accountability for human rights violations. Transparency, participation and human rights reforms are the key to peace negotiations and the realization of sustainable peace, which is intended to benefit and improve the lives of the people and is supported by the population on the Korean Peninsula. 5. The increased implementation of sanctions has started to seriously affect the entire economy of the country, which is having adverse consequences on the exercise of the economic and social rights of the people. The Panel of Experts establishe d pursuant to Security Council resolution 1874 (2009) considered that the four new 20-13513 3/21