In wake of leader’s death, Ban says UN will continue to help people of DPR Korea

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon extended his sympathy today to the mourning citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) upon learning of the passing of their leader, Kim Jong-il, who died on Saturday.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban also reaffirmed his commitment to peace and security on the Korean peninsula, pointing out that the United Nations would continue to provide assistance to the people of the DPRK.

Mr. Ban further noted that he was closely following the situation in the country.

According to media reports, the DPRK leader died of a heart attack on 17 December at the age of 69 while travelling by train outside Pyongyang, the country’s capital. He has been in office since 1994, following the death of his father and former DPRK leader Kim Il-sung.

Meanwhile, United Nations Member States in the General Assembly today adopted a resolution voicing their deep concern at both persistent reports of “systematic, widespread and grave” human rights violations in the DPRK and the precarious humanitarian situation inside the country.