Countering criticism, North Korea circulates UN resolution praising its human rights record

UNITED NATIONS – North Korea has circulated a draft U.N. resolution praising its own human rights record in a rare effort to counter the international community's growing condemnation of the way it treats its people.

Dozens of diplomats sat in silence after the North handed out copies in a closed meeting Wednesday and invited questions and comments.

China, Pyongyang's top ally, finally broke the silence and said it strongly opposes resolutions that interfere in a country's internal affairs and hurt mutual trust. The European Union and Japan have teamed up on a separate resolution criticizing North Korea's human rights record.

The EU told the North Koreans that Pyongyang's recent contacts with EU officials have been welcome, but that doesn't mean its resolution criticizing the North will be withdrawn.