International human rights groups criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino's remarks that the World Cup could be held in North Korea.
Phil Robertson, deputy director for Asia at the international human rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), responded to Voice of America (VOA)'s request for comment on Chairman Infantino's remarks, "How ignorant and indifferent President Infantino is to the human rights of construction workers at football facilities. VOA reported on the 26th.
"North Korea is one of the world's worst human rights abusers, systematically using forced labor in construction," Robertson said.
Amnesty International, a human rights organization based in London, England, also expressed concern about VOA's inquiry regarding President Infantino's remarks.
"Considering North Korea's human rights record, including severe suppression of freedom of expression, it is close to impossible to guarantee that there will be no human rights violations if North Korea hosts the games," Amnesty said in a statement in the name of Jang Bo-ram, Asia investigator.
"FIFA should only contract with countries that can mitigate the human rights risks posed by the competition," he said.
Chairman Infantino defended Qatar on the 20th, saying, "Any country can hold the World Cup, even if North Korea wants it," when Qatar, the host country of this World Cup, was criticized for issues such as human rights issues for foreign construction workers and discrimination against LGBTI people.
Western media has criticized human rights violations at the construction site of Qatar's World Cup facilities.
In particular, the British daily Guardian reported in February last year that "6,500 foreign workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka died while Qatar prepared for this World Cup."
(Photo = Yonhap News)