The United Nations Security Council agreed late Monday to consider the human rights situation in North Korea next week, paving the way for discussions on whether to refer the country to the International Criminal Court. The move places China, North Korea’s principal ally on the Council, under a spotlight. Rebuffing Chinese concerns, the Council on Monday said that it would seek a briefing from senior United Nations officials next week. The Council is not expected to take any immediate action. The move follows a landmark decision by the human rights committee of the General Assembly to ask the Council to consider referring North Korea to the court.