A senior South Korean diplomat has held talks with the new US special envoy for North Korean human rights and agreed to cooperate in launching a consultative body to better address the rights situation in the North, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday.

Chun Young-hee, director general for the Korean Peninsula peace regime, and Ambassador Julie Turner met Monday and discussed efforts to coordinate over North Korean human rights issues, it said.

Turner, who is currently visiting Seoul on a three-day trip, was officially sworn in Friday, ending more than six years of vacancy at the post.

Chun congratulated Turner on her appointment, saying the two countries could strengthen joint efforts to improve North Korea's human rights situation and hold the North accountable for the issue.

He also proposed launching a consultative body on North Korea's human rights to discuss specific cooperative measures between the two countries, according to the ministry.

The two sides agreed to maintain close communication to launch the consultative body via diplomatic channels at the earliest date possible. (Yonhap)

• ·김성원 여의도연구원장 "공천장사 지라시, 허위사실 유포로 고소"
• ·국민의힘 “김태우 재산신고 관련 가짜뉴스, 방심위에 신고”
• ·Apple under fire for ‘overpriced’ iPhones
• ·[Herald Interview] Kim Nam
• ·S. Korea, US, Japan install trilateral communication hotline amid N. Korea, China challenges
• ·Zandari Festa kicks off with local, foreign indie bands
• ·[Book Review] 'The Korean Wave in a Post
• ·Blackpink's Jennie to drop new solo single on Oct. 6
• ·Foreign workers' deaths get weak sanctions
• ·TVXQ to release 9th LP on Dec. 26, marking 20th anniversary
• ·Seoul shares close tad lower amid mixed US rate outlook
• ·[Herald Interview] Kim Nam
• ·탄약 찾는 러…국방부 "北컨테이너 적재량, 포탄 수십만발 분량"
• ·[Herald Interview] When ‘comedy freak’ filmmaker makes rom
• ·TVXQ to release 9th LP on Dec. 26, marking 20th anniversary
• ·SK invests in US data specialist Glassdome