The United Nations has extended the term of a panel of experts it established as part of a sanctions measure following North Korea's second nuclear test in June last year.

A U.N. official says that the Security Council has decided to extend the panel's term for another year and that the panel is likely to continue as long as sanctions are in place against North Korea's nuclear development.

The panel of experts includes representatives from seven nations, including the five veto-wielding members of the Security Council as well as South Korea and Japan.

Established under North Korea sanctions resolution 1874, the panel has been collecting and analyzing data related to financial sanctions and travel bans on the North.