An annual international forum on North Korea's human rights situation will be held this week to raise awareness on the issue.

According to the unification ministry on Monday, the forum, sponsored by the United Nations’ human rights office in Seoul, will open on Wednesday with a focus on major pending issues and future tasks related to North Korea's human rights situation.

Unification minister Kwon Young-se will deliver the opening address while former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will give a commemorative message.

South Korea's new envoy for the regime's human rights, Lee Shin-wha, will serve as a moderator, while the former U.S. special envoy for North Korea’s human rights issues, Robert King, will also participate in the event.

The forum, held annually since 2017, brings together experts from home and abroad.