The U.S. point man for North Korean human rights, Robert King arrives in South Korea tomorrow at the start of a four day official visit, his first for three months.
A State Department press release announced news of the visit yesterday, saying, “U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues Ambassador Robert King will travel to Seoul on September 22nd to continue the United States’ close coordination with the Republic of Korea on North Korea human rights issues with his counterparts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry of Unification.”
King will also meet with unspecified National Assembly lawmakers, NGOs and North Korea experts prior to his departure on September 26th, it added.
In a brief comment on the state of affairs inside North Korea, the statement also noted, “The United States remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation inside [North Korea] and the well-being of the North Korean people.”
King took on the role of State Department ambassador for North Korean human rights in 2009, following a career closely linked to the issue, including playing a leading role in efforts to get the North Korea Human Rights Bill signed into law in 2004.
