The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRC) held its first all-member general meeting of the year on Monday and agreed to open a special committee on North Korean human rights.

The special panel will seek to facilitate the passage of a North Korean human rights bill pending at the National Assembly and will also draft mid- to long-term policy measures to improve the rights conditions in the communist state.

The committee, comprised of three to five officials, will operate for one year but will be eligible to have its term extended.

The human rights watchdog operated similar panels in 2005 and 2008.