South Korea's decision to support a United Nations investigation into human rights abuses by North Korea signals that Seoul's new conservative administration is willing to pressure its neighbor on such issues — even if it hurts the chances for engagement.

South Korea's pledge Wednesday to give "active" support to the investigation comes just two days after the inauguration of President Park Geun Hye and will likely infuriate the North, which views discussion of its human rights as a "grave violation."

Seoul struggled with the decision, which forced a choice between two key goals: Restoring civil relations with Pyongyang, and pressing its government to improve treatment of its 24 million people.