The “egregious” human rights situation in North Korea remains a “priority” for Washington, the U.S. said Sunday in a statement to kick off events for North Korea Freedom Week (NKFW) in Seoul.

Human rights activists have hosted NKFW since April 2004, when advocacy groups demonstrated at Capitol Hill in Washington to urge Congress to pass the North Korea Human Rights Act. 

“As we observe the 20th annual North Korea Freedom Week, we recognize the courage of the North Korean defector and human rights community, which continues to speak on behalf of the millions of North Koreans suffering abuses who are