U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights Robert King has expressed serious concerns over human rights issues in North Korea.

King told reporters at Congress on Tuesday that the U.S. is very concerned about humanitarian issues in the communist state amid worsened economic conditions sparked by a failed currency reform.

King said the U.S. will continue to press North Korean human rights issues as has been done in the past.

He also said, however, that contacts with North Korean officials to discuss provisions of food aid are unlikely to take place anytime soon.

King added that the State Department will release its annual human rights country report on Thursday which will have a detailed chapter on North Korea.