The U.S. State Department says it welcomes the announcement of Marzuki Darusman as the new special U.N. rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea.
In a news briefing Monday, Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley said the U.S. hopes the North Korean government will grant Mr. Darusman access to the North to observe conditions inside the country and hold direct discussions on human rights issues.
He said the U.S. remains deeply concerned about the North's human rights situation and the plight of North Korean refugees. He said human rights are a top U.S. priority and addressing the issues will have a significant impact on the prospect for closer ties with North Korea.
The special U.N. rapporteur on North Korean human rights is a one year commitment. The inaugural rapporteur Vitit Muntarbhorn served for six years from 2004, despite not being able to travel to Pyongyang as the North refused his visit.