UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk to Visit South Korea Next Week, First Trip in 11 Years

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk plans to visit South Korea next week, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday. N. human rights chief in 11 years.

N. human rights office. Seoul seeks to play a greater global role in promoting the values of human rights and democracy, the ministry said.

During his stay, Turk is also scheduled to meet with the unification minister, officials of relevant ministries, human rights civic groups and North Korean defectors. Yonhap reported that the visit will include these wide-ranging engagements with both government and civil society representatives. In an EPA file photo taken Dec.

9, 2024, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk addresses the media during a year-end press conference at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. N. logo visible behind him.

The upcoming meetings come as South Korea positions itself for expanded international leadership on rights issues. Turk's itinerary reflects the breadth of actors Seoul engages on human rights matters, from cabinet-level officials to defectors who have resettled in the South. Yonhap reported the full schedule was confirmed by the foreign ministry in Seoul on May 7.

No further details on specific discussion topics beyond the cooperation framework were released in the announcement.