South Korea's unification ministry on Tuesday launched an advisory body to help the government set up its policy on North Korea's human rights in accordance with a law aimed at improving the way Pyongyang treats its people.

The 10-member advisory committee will provide recommendations to the government in carrying out its probe into North Korea's human rights abuses and conducting relevant policies, according to the Ministry of Unification. 

The committee members, mainly consisting of professors, will work for a two-year term as the new law on North Korea's human rights went into effect in September last year.

"The creation of the advisory body will set the stage for implementing the government's plan to set up its blueprint to improve Pyongyang's human rights situation," said a ministry official.

On Tuesday, the committee plans to hold its first meeting, to be attended by Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, it said.