The United Nations has confirmed that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with North Korea’s ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-nam in Tehran on Thursday.

The United Nations said on its Web site on Friday that Ban met Kim on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit hosted by Iran, and expressed his hopes for better relations between North and South Korea.

Ban was quoted as saying that improved relations between the two Koreas would be of great help to ties between the U.S. and North Korea.

Ban also expressed his concerns for human rights in North Korea and stressed the importance of continued contact regarding the issue between the North and the UN.

The UN chief also extended his concerns for food problems in North Korea stemming from an extensive drought and recent heavy rains.