UN diplomats want North Korea's human rights situation placed on Security Council agenda

UNITED NATIONS – Ten members of the U.N. Security Council are requesting that North Korea's human rights situation be placed on the council agenda for debate.

A letter seen Friday by The Associated Press is signed by 10 of the 15 members, including the United States. North Korea's allies China and Russia did not sign.

Placing the issue on the agenda of the U.N.'s most powerful body means the council members view North Korea's dismal human rights situation as a matter of international peace and security.

The letter requests "consideration of this agenda item as early as possible in December."

Council members have hurried to make this request before end of the year, when five of the current members are replaced.

North Korea has faced unprecedented pressure over human rights this year.