South Korea said Friday a United Nations panel's approval for a resolution against North Korea's human rights abuse reflects the international community's concern over the problem.

The statement came hours after the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly passed the resolution that calls for referring the communist regime to the International Criminal Court.

It is almost certain that the General Assembly will endorse it in a session expected to be held in mid-December.

South Korea took note of a call for the Security Council to continue discussions on the issue and seek active measures.

The General Assembly "encourages the Security Council to continue its consideration of the relevant conclusions and recommendations of the commission of inquiry and take appropriate action to ensure accountability, including through consideration of the referral of the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the International Criminal Court," according to the resolution.

South Korea also urged the North to take the steps necessary to improve its human rights record in the statement issued in the name of the foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck. (Yonhap)