GENEVA, March 27 (Reuters) - The United Nations Human Rights Council on Thursday renewed the mandate of its investigator on North Korea, overcoming objections from countries including Russia and China who wanted the post abolished.

The 47-member state forum adopted a resolution presented by Japan and the European Union in a vote of 22 countries in favour and 7 against, with 18 abstentions.

Vitit Muntarbhorn, a Thai law professor who has served as the independent investigator since 2004, told the Council two weeks ago that his post provided a "voice for the voiceless."

His latest report highlighted serious, systematic violations in the secretive communist state. (reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Dominic Evans)

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