U.S. envoy for N. Korean human rights to visit S. Korea this week

The U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights will visit South Korea this week to highlight Washington's commitment to supporting North Korean defectors and escapees, the State Department said Monday. Ahead of North Korean Defectors' Day that falls on Sunday, Ambassador Julie Turner is scheduled to visit Seoul from Wednesday to Saturday to join a forum and meet Seoul officials, civil society organizations and industry groups to discuss supply chain due diligence and forced labor. "She will highlight the United States' commitment to support the North Korean defector and escapee community, advance a survivor-centered approach to accountability for North Korea's human rights violations and abuses, and underscore the unique role escapees play in exposing the regime's human rights violations and abuses," it said in a release. "North Korean escapees are a living testament to what is achievable for North Koreans living in freedom. The United States will continue to work with our allies, including the Repu blic of Korea, to amplify their voices," it added. The department reiterated that Washington will continue to work with its allies to "amplify their voices." Source: Yonhap News Agency