The victims' support group has also looked to the United Nations for help. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, in a speech given in the Japanese Diet on February 24, 2004, mentioned the issue, sympathized with the victims and their families, and expressed wishes for a complete settlement.[21] Later that year, the United States Congress passed the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004.[22] In response to this, the South Korean ruling party, not wanting to damage North-South relations, expressed concern. On the other hand, the victims' families and their supporters expressed gratitude toward the United States government and president.[23]