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China’s ambassador to the United States came out in strong criticism of efforts by the US and other Western countries to refer North Korean human rights abuses to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On Nov. 4, an interview with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai ran in US magazine Foreign Policy. When asked whether China would veto efforts to have North Korea tried by the court, Cui said, “Other countries, including United States and China, should not try to interfere into the domestic affairs of North Korea.”

While this reconfirms the Chinese government’s opposition to the draft of a UN resolution about North Korean human rights, it is unusual for the Chinese ambassador to the US - the country heading up these efforts - to openly and personally criticize those efforts.

On Nov. 6, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, which is in charge of human rights, informed member states about the main content and purpose of the North Korean human rights resolution. It is planning to take up the motion at the end of this month.

“You could have your own opinion, but ultimately it’s up to the Korean people to decide. I don’t think it‘s helpful or constructive if there’s efforts - whether in the ICC or elsewhere - trying to complicate this matter,” Cui said.

During a lecture at the United States Institute of Peace in April, Cui criticized US demands for China to put pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program as “mission impossible.”

By Park Hyun, Washington correspondent

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