Voice of America (VOA) says the U.S. State Department has invited North Korean escapees in South Korea to participate in human rights forums in the United States.

The U.S. government-funded broadcaster reported Friday that four North Korean escapees were recently invited by the department under its International Visitor Leadership Program.

The program brings participants to the U.S. from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand.

VOA reported that the four North Korean escapees arrived in Washington on March 31st and met with State Department officials. During their stay in the U.S., they will attend forums and discuss rights conditions in the North.

The group will return to South Korea on April 18th after visiting Minneapolis and Los Angeles.

The report said it's the first time for Washington to invite North Korean escapees to the United States.