U.S. human rights envoy set to arrive in S. Korea

SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights
was to arrive in South Korea Sunday on his first fact-finding mission on the
latest rights condition in the communist country.
The visit by Robert King came amid the U.S. Obama administration's efforts to
tune its human rights policy on the reclusive nation trying to arm itself with
nuclear weapons.
King, who took up the position in November from Jay Lefkowitz, will stay in South
Korea until Thursday, according to Seoul government officials.
During the visit, the envoy will meet with Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan and
Unification Minister Hyun In-taek as well as Wi Sung-lak, the South Korean point
man on the North Korean nuclear issue.
King is scheduled to meet with North Korean defectors here and officials from
non-governmental organizations dealing with North Korean human rights.
He is also slated to meet with Vitit Muntarbhorn, the U.N.'s special rapporteur
on North Korean human rights, who will arrive here on Monday for a six-day visit
for research.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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