North Korea wants to punish America for its 'inhuman' torture program


North Korea is hoping to score some easy points at the U.N. off the CIA's torture program.
On Wednesday, a foreign ministry spokesperson for North Korea requested that the U.N. censure the U.S., The Telegraph reports. In an editorial published in the state's news service KCNA, North Korea also accused the U.N. Security Council of "turning its face from the inhuman torture practiced by the CIA." If the U.N. was "shutting its eyes to the serious human rights issue in the U.S.," it was only showing itself as a "tool for U.S. arbitrary practices," the editorial said.
There's obvious political maneuvering going on here. Pyongyang is reportedly growing increasingly concerned that it will be punished by the U.N. for its voluminous record of human rights abuses; it's evidently hoping to turn the U.S. Senate report on CIA torture into a veritable get-out-of-jail-free card.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Nico Lauricella was editor-in-chief at TheWeek.com. He was formerly the site's deputy editor and an editor at The Huffington Post.
-
An introvert's dream? Flu camps that offer £4,400 to spend two weeks alone
Under The Radar A fortnight in isolation may not be as blissful as it sounds
-
Can Trump put his tariffs on stronger legal footing?
Today's Big Question Appeals court says 'emergency' tariffs are improper
-
Film reviews: The Roses, Splitsville, and Twinless
Feature A happy union devolves into domestic warfare, a couple's open marriage reaps chaos, and an unlikely friendship takes surprising turns
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read