Blinken Slams North Korea Over Human Rights in Debut Asia Trip
- Criticism marks a change in tone from Trump administration
- Pyongyang has bristled at any comments over rights abuses
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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized North Korea for massive human rights abuses at the start of a visit to Seoul, bringing up a subject typically met by Pyongyang with a heated rebuke and marking a change in tone from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The comments Wednesday, during Blinken’s first trip abroad since taking the post of President Joe Biden’s top envoy, come as the U.S. adjusts its strategy toward Pyongyang and tries to smooth ties with long-time ally South Korea.