Under the envisaged probe, the center is expected to find out whether they were tortured or suffered discrimination in joining the ruling Labor Party and choosing jobs because of their status.

The probe could be done with former South Korean soldiers and residents, or their families who have defected to the South, the official said.

The center also plans to put under the probe any discrimination against the North's separated families whose kin has crossed into the South during the war.

Established in September last year, the center is tasked with researching and studying the status of North Korean residents' human rights.

It has carried out the research through North Korean defectors at Hanawon, a resettlement center meant to help North Korean defectors adjust to life in South Korea. (Yonhap)