A U.S. Congressman visiting North Korea says he will discuss the Stalinist regime's nuclear program and human rights issues during talks with Pyongyang officials.
Congressman Tom Lantos, a Democrat from California, told reporters during a stopover in Beijing Saturday that he would discuss the North's nuclear program, human rights matters, and hopefully, their reintegration into the international community.
Mr. Lantos' four-day visit comes ahead of a separate visit next week by a delegation of U.S. lawmakers headed by Republican Congressman Curt Weldon.
Mr. Lantos was a sponsor of the North Korean Human Rights Act enacted last October, which budgets $24 million a year for North Korea refugees.
North Korea angrily condemned the legislation as proof of Washington's intent to topple the communist nation.