A South Korean human rights ambassador has appealed for the United Nations' help in reuniting separated families in South and North Korea.

Park Kyung-seo made the appeal in his speech before the 57th session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland Friday.

Park also explained how South Korea has sought the reunions of separated families as the most urgent humanitarian agenda at talks with North Korea since the historic South-North summit talks last June.

Park also asked for the world body's help in protecting basic human rights of refugees who fled their countries to avoid famine and poverty ... in an apparent reference to the plight of North Korean defectors.