SEOUL, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The head of South Korea's ruling party expressed concern Thursday that a U.S. bill on North Korea's human rights could backfire and raise tension in the region.
Lee Bu-young, chairman of the Uri Party led by President Roh Moo-hyun, also warned that the North Korea Human Rights Act of 2004 could weaken international efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear ambitions.
"We cannot but consider how it will affect the six-way talks on the North's nuclear development programs," Lee told a press conference.
Lee also called on the South Korean government to seek negotiations to ease the negative impact of the U.S. bill, which passed the Senate Wednesday.
The bill authorizes the U.S. government to spend up to $24 million a year during the 2005-2008 period to improve dismal human rights conditions in North Korea. The bill earlier passed the House of Representatives and is likely to become law later this year.
The Roh government, seeking reconciliation with the North, has made no formal response to the endorsement of the bill.
