Hwang Jun-guk, Ambassador to the United Nations, said, "North Korea controls culture and reigns fear."

Hwang Joon-guk, the ambassador to the United Nations, criticized North Korea for its extreme control of external information and culture, and its reign of terror through evil laws, such as punishing teenagers who watched K-dramas.

Ambassador Hwang made the remarks in a keynote speech to the UN General Assembly's Third Committee, referring to the UN Human Rights Office's comments that the forced labor of North Koreans is comparable to the level of slaves.

He also stressed the need to resolve the issue of abductees, detainees, and undeclared prisoners of war, saying last year's U.N. General Assembly resolution on North Korean human rights urged the government to respect the principle of prohibiting the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.

He then explained that the world is facing an unprecedented conflict and that as a new member of the Human Rights Council, Korea will continue its efforts to promote human rights with great responsibility.

The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly is held every fall on the agenda of protecting and promoting human rights, and member states introduce their human rights policies and directions of activities and conduct discussions.