Anchor: Reversing the previous Trump administration's withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council in 2018, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed America’s commitment to address human rights abuses. He specified North Korea as a violator, but only cast doubts on whether Washington will be able to pursue both human rights and nuclear dialogue with Pyongyang. 
Kim Bum-soo has more.

Report: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says North Korea and other human rights violators must be held accountable.

In a video speech sent to the UN Human Rights Council Wednesday, Blinken addressed the matter that had largely been neglected under the Trump administration.

[Sound bite: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken]
"We encourage the Council to support resolutions at this session addressing issues of concern around the world, including ongoing human rights violations in Syria and North Korea, the lack of accountability for past atrocities in Sri Lanka, and the need for further investigation into the situation in South Sudan.  

This came as U.S. President Joe Biden's choice for CIA Director William Burns singled out North Korea, China, Iran and Russia as national security concerns during his senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday.  

[Sound bite: CIA Director Nominee William Burns] 
“It’s a world where familiar threats persist - from terrorism and nuclear proliferation, to an aggressive Russia, a provocative North Korea and a hostile Iran."

In a video speech sent to the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament earlier this week, Blinken said his government remains focused on denuclearizing North Korea.

But it remains to be seen how effectively Washington will be able to simultaneously pursue nuclear and human rights dialogue with Pyongyang, which has warned the U.S. against attention on what it calls "domestic issues." 

The U.S. is currently reviewing its North Korea policy across the board, from sanctions to incentives, according to Blinken.  
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.