China on Thursday expressed its opposition to referring North Korea to the International Crime Court over the North's human rights record, undermining the prospects for Pyongyang to face more international pressure over its allegedly dismal human rights situation.

   China's foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, made the comments as the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee is circulating a resolution calling on the U.N. Security Council to refer North Korea to the court.

   Asked about efforts by the U.N. committee to seek China's support, Hua replied, "You know that China's stance on human rights issues is very clear and consistent."

   "We believe that referring the issue of human rights to the International Criminal Court will not help improve the human rights situation in a country," Hua said during a regular press briefing.

   Any attempts by the Security Council to refer North Korea to the international court is likely to fail because China, North Korea's ally and one of the veto-wielding Council members, would likely veto it.

   North Korea has long been labeled one of the worst human rights violators in the world. The communist regime does not tolerate dissent, holds hundreds of thousands of people in political prison camps across the nation and keeps tight control over outside information.

   But Pyongyang has bristled at any talk of its human rights conditions, calling it a U.S.-led attempt to topple its regime.

Last month, the North released its own human rights report, claiming the country has the world's most advantageous human rights system and policies. (Yonhap)