The United Nations special rapporteur on North Korean human rights and a senior South Korean diplomat discussed ways to tighten cooperation in addressing the reclusive country's dire human rights situation Monday.

During their meeting in Seoul, Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun told Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana that South Korea will cooperate with the UN official, commending him for his efforts to muster international cooperation in the North Korean human rights front, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Cho also said the South Korean government pays attention to the special rapporteur's efforts to strike a balance between engagement and pressure in his approach toward the North Korean human rights issue, the ministry also said. The vice foreign minister pledged the South Korean government's cooperation with Quintana.