The United States is expected to decide by the end of this month whether or not to accept a former North Korean refugee seeking asylum.

If accepted, Ma Young-ae would become the first North Korean defector to legally be allowed to stay in the U.S. after settling first in South Korea.

The 40-year-old North Korean fled to Seoul through China in 2000.

In the past, U.S. policy barred granting asylum to North Koreans who have already settled in South Korea.

The defector came to Washington in April 2004 for a North Korea human rights event, but refused to return, accusing the South Korean government of political oppression. She applied for asylum in the U.S. last January.

The South Korean government criticized Ma for making false accusations and denied oppressing her or any other North Korean refugees.

Ma currently lives in New York with her husband and son.