Darusman assumes new UN envoy for NK human rights

The United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights has appointed Indonesia-born Marzuki Darusman as its new envoy to be in charge of overseeing North Korea’s human rights conditions, Yonhap news agency said on Saturday.

Darusman, who will begin his new role starting from next month, is replacing Thailand's Vitit Muntarbhorn, who is completing his six-year maximum term.

Muntarbhorn had never been granted access to North Korea by its rulers during his term.

Darusman was the Attorney General of Indonesia as well as a member of the National Commission of Human Rights in Indonesia.

The South Korean foreign ministry welcomed the news, saying it hopes to closely work with him to improve North Korean human rights conditions.

The U.N. envoy position was created in 2004 and is subject to annual review, up to six years.