South Korea's unification ministry held its first meeting Friday to discuss how to set up an agency on North Korean human rights in accordance with a new law that aims to improve Pyongyang's dismal treatment of its people, government officials said.

Seoul is seeking to establish a center tasked with investigating the North's human rights violations and supporting relevant civic groups by September, the ministry said. The center will also maintain relevant archives on abuses.

The meeting was held at the ministry, and was attended by Vice Unification Minister Hwang Boo-gi and six others, including two civilian experts, according to the officials.

The law was passed earlier this month after being held up for years due to political wrangling between conservatives and liberals.

The Unification Ministry said it plans to allocate some 20 billion won every year toward supporting the center.

Pyongyang has long been labeled one of the worst human rights violators in the world. The communist regime does not tolerate dissent, holds hundreds of thousands of people in political prison camps and keeps tight control over outside information. (Yonhap)