North Korea's lack of concern for upholding the international commitment to human rights and security became clear once again after it rained an artillery barrage on Yeonpyeong Island on Nov. 23, killing four South Koreans including two civilians.

In response, the secretary general of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, was prompted to declare the incident "one of the gravest incidents since the end of the Korean War."

However, while many are quick to brand the latest provocation by North Korea a separate crisis, North Korea's decades-long disregard of human rights requires our attention as well.