▲ Officials pose for a photo while holding the sixth Korea-U.S. Democracy and Governance Consultation (DGC) in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 28, 2026, in this photo provided by Seoul's foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States held their regular talks this week on ways to improve their democracy and governance that also highlighted the importance of enhancing human rights, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

During the sixth Korea-U.S. Democracy and Governance Consultation (DGC) held in Washington, D.C., on Monday (local time), the two sides discussed a range of human rights and democracy issues and exchanged views on the potential impact of digital technology on freedom of expression, according to the ministry.

They also shared efforts to prevent human trafficking and protect and support victims.

The consultation was co-chaired by Choi Won-seok, director-general of the ministry's International Organizations and Nuclear Affairs Bureau, and Julie Turner, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

"South Korea and the U.S. will continue deepening policy communication and strengthening cooperation in the areas of democracy and human rights through the consultation mechanism," the ministry said in a release.

The two nations launched the bilateral consultative body following their summit in May 2021 to discuss efforts to promote democracy and human rights and ways to cooperate in those areas.

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