U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues Robert King will visit South Korea and Japan next month and convey the U.S. government’s stance on human rights in North Korea.

U.S. diplomatic sources say King is likely to explain to South Korea and Japan the U.S.’s determination to implement policies focused on human rights in North Korea and the livelihood of the people there.

Another source said that Seoul and Washington have recently placed an emphasis on the human rights and livelihood of North Koreans in a shift from policies centered around the North’s nuclear and missile ambitions.

King is also set to visit China in early July where he’ll likely talk about China’s forced repatriation of North Korean escapees.