A Unification Ministry official said he believes Seoul and Washington don’t differ on their position regarding North Korea’s human rights issues.

The official made the remark on Thursday in response to a reporter saying it appears the government has been indifferent to the North’s human rights problems.

The official said Seoul has continuously observed the North’s human rights situation with grave concern and deep interest. The official added that Seoul has been working with the international community to enhance the rights of North Koreans.

The remarks came a day after visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken underlined the North's continued "systemic and widespread abuses against its own people," adding that fundamental rights and freedoms must be defended.