South Korea has highlighted the need to address Japan's wartime sexual slavery as a "universal human rights issue," adding that the recurrence of such a rights violation in conflict must be prevented.

Speaking at a virtual high-level session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, Second Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon said the pressing issue at hand is sexual violence during and after conflict.

The vice minister stressed the need for current and future generations to learn valuable lessons from the painful experience of the victims during World War Two, before vowing that Seoul will continue efforts to restore the elderly victims' dignity and honor.

Such remarks come as the issue has recently drawn international attention after a Harvard law professor made controversial claims that the women were voluntary prostitutes.

Choi also mentioned Seoul's profound interest and concern over the human rights situation in North Korea, calling for continued attention as the situation could further deteriorate due to global economic sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

He then urged Pyongyang to respond to Seoul's calls to resolve issues surrounding Korean families who were separated during the Korean War.