U.S. Republican lawmakers are reportedly considering re-designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Radio Free Asia out of the U.S. cited anonymous congressional officials as saying that preparations are under way for a bill or resolution that would once again place Pyongyang on the blacklist.

The report said Republican leaders in the House have decided to submit the bill or resolution by the end of this month.

In a regular briefing late last month, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said he had no information on whether Washington intended to re-designate North Korea as a sponsor of terrorism.

Michael Green, a former aide to President George W. Bush, wrote an article that appeared in Monday's Wall Street Journal which said that the State Department is reluctant to pursue a relisting of North Korea due to legal complexities.

The State Department dropped North Korea from the list in October 2008.