The Obama administration’s newly appointed envoy for human rights in North Korea says Pyongyang had an appalling record of human rights.

Human rights have been a flash point in the ties between North Korea and the United States.

[Robert King, U.S. Envoy for North Korean Human Rights]:
“It is one of the worst places in terms of lack of human rights. The situation is appalling. The state department annually reports on human rights conditions and the status of human rights in North Korea is considered poor.”

King says Washington will press North Korea to clean up its human rights situation.

[Robert King, U.S. Envoy for North Korean Human Rights]:
“A relationship with the United States and North Korea will have to involve human rights.”

King also says the United States has been trying to obtain information about Robert Park, a U.S. rights activist who was arrested for entering North Korea on Christmas Day. Park said it was his duty as a Christian to raise awareness of abuses in North Korea.

King will meet North Korean defectors and government officials in Seoul this week.

U.N. special rappoteur for human rights in North Korea was also on a trip to Seoul to discuss human rights issues in North Korea.