Anchor: The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the extension of the North Korean Human Rights Act through 2017. The reauthorization bill was unanimously carried by acclamation during a House plenary session. Jang Souie has this report.

Report: The bill extending the North Korean Human Rights Act was passed in the U.S. House on Tuesday, local time. The act was established in October 2004 during the administration of President George W. Bush and extended for the first time in 2008.

The bill states that even after the leadership transition to Kim Jong-un after the death of Kim Jong-il, fundamental human rights and humanitarian conditions in North Korea remain deplorable and North Korean refugees remain acutely vulnerable.

The reauthorization bill particularly touches on the issue of China’s forced repatriation of North Korean escapees back to their homeland. It pointed out that China is forcibly sending North Korean defectors back to Pyongyang despite calls from the U.S., South Korea and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It said the U.S. government should urge China to immediately halt this act.

Diplomatic sources in Washington say both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate view the bill positively and project that it will pass the Senate at an appropriate time without much difficulty.

The U.S. North Korean Human Rights Act aims to enhance human rights and provide humanitarian aid for North Koreans and protect North Korean defectors. It also provides the legal ground for the U.S. to appoint a special envoy on North Korea and allocate subsidies to promote a market economy and democracy in Pyongyang. Under the act, the U.S. can also back groups and individuals working to promote North Korea's human rights.

Jang Souie, KBS World Radio News.