The U.S. envoy for North Korean human rights says North Korea should emulate Burma in putting political and economic reforms in place to bring about a positive response from other nations.

Robert King told reporters in Tokyo Friday that North Korea should move in “positive” directions that would allow international inspectors into the country to monitor Pyongyang's nuclear program — although he said such a move would not immediately result in resumption of U.S. food aid.

He said Burma's easing of restrictions on its people is “a great example” of the changes the U.S. would like to see in North Korea. He noted that Burma's changes have resulted in the lifting of sanctions on the isolated nation, where members of the political opposition were recently allowed to take seats in parliament.

King said he expected that the same sorts of changes in North Korea would result in a similar response. He said food aid is not an immediate possibility, but could be considered in the future.

He said the U.S. could not send food to North Korea without the ability to monitor it, to see that it goes to the people who need it most.

The U.S. withdrew an offer of aid to North Korea after Pyongyang attempted unsuccessfully to launch a rocket in April. While Pyongyang says it was trying to launch a satellite into space, Western nations believe it was a disguised missile test.

In the past, Burma and North Korea have been close allies.

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL

ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA ROBERT KING, SAYING:

“You know, that has put it out of the range of

possibilities right now. Would we consider it in the

future? Possibility. Are we considering it now? No.''

2.(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL

ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN NORTH KOREA ROBERT KING, SAYING:

“In fact, the North Koreans have had fairly long

continuity in terms of the people that are dealing with

foreign affairs at the foreign ministry. So, at least on

the level where we have talked to the North Koreans when we

last met with them, there were no changes.''

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert King, US envoy on North Korean human rights issues:

“You know that (the North Korean rocket launch) has put it (food aid) out of the range of possibilities right now. Would we consider it in the future? Possibly. Are we considering it right now? No. The issue on food aid is that we've got to have confidence that the North Koreans will allow us to monitor the aid in a way that we can satisfy our concerns to see that the food is delivered to those who really are in need.”

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Robert King, US envoy on North Korean human rights issues:

“I would hope that the North Koreans would see what has happened in Burma (Myanmar) and recognize that as something that's positive. It would seem to me that if the leadership in North Korea made moves in the direction that Burma has made, the United States and the rest of the world community would respond in the same way they have responded to the changes that are taking place in Burma. The North Koreans express concerns about sanctions. If the North Koreans move in directions that are positive, that will result in opportunities for the IAEA (the International Atomic Energy Agency) to monitor nuclear issues, then I think there will be positive movement in other directions, as there has been in Burma. I see Burma as a great example of where we'd like to see North Korea going.”