Seoul: South Korea will likely join as a co-sponsor of this year's U.N. resolution on North Korean human rights, government sources said Friday, amid earlier expectations that Seoul might skip the move in line with its conciliatory gestures toward Pyongyang.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean government has tentatively decided to participate as a co-sponsor of the resolution on the human rights situation in North Korea to be adopted at a regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council later this month. This marks a shift in the government's position, as recent reports suggested that Seoul was considering withdrawing its co-sponsorship to align with President Lee Jae Myung's efforts to repair relations with North Korea.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's remarks earlier indicated that Seoul might opt out of the resolution, stating there was "no reason" for the co-sponsorship despite objections from Pyongyang. However, the decision to proceed with co-sponsorship underscores the South Korean government's emphasis on recognizing the universal value of human rights.

The decision is also influenced by North Korea's persistent hostility against the South. Despite efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un labeled South Korea the "most hostile state" during a speech to the newly elected parliament, as reported by its state media.

South Korea was among the 61 co-sponsors for the resolution adopted at the U.N. General Assembly Third Committee last December.