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)

• ·Hyundai Rotem to showcase new ground weapons systems at Seoul expo
• ·Do professors in Korea have too much power over students?
• ·Trilateral talks open on Korea
• ·Hospital visits during Chuseok cost up to 50% more
• ·Supporters of Israel hold rally in Seoul, urge Hamas to stop atrocities
• ·New teachers’ manual bans recording devices in classrooms
• ·Scholarships to begin in October for Ukrainian students in S. Korea
• ·S. Korea’s consumer sentiment turns sour in September: BOK index
• ·Hyundai Motor shows off air mobility, drone tech at Seoul defense fair
• ·보란듯 제재 무시하며 국제법 준수?…김정은 활용하는 푸틴의 속내는
• ·Seoul prepares for first major military parade in ten years
• ·[Herald Interview] 'UN peacekeeping forces need better gender equity'
• ·Supporters of Israel hold rally in Seoul, urge Hamas to stop atrocities
• ·House ownership widens wealth gap between young and old
• ·Chief justice seat at top court left vacant amid Assembly chaos
• ·[사진] 영장심사 마친 이재명, 묵묵부답