Washington: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan bill to reauthorize and update the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act, aimed at promoting rights and freedom in North Korea. The bill was approved in a 335-37 vote, addressing the lapse of the previous reauthorization in 2022.According to Yonhap News Agency, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act, first adopted in 2004, has been periodically updated and reauthorized. The recent House bill was led by Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA). Meanwhile, a similar bill in the Senate, introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), is still awaiting committee-level endorsement.The House bill includes measures such as reuniting Korean American families with relatives in North Korea, appointing a special envoy for North Korean human rights if the position is vacant, and promoting freedom of information in the country. The bill is set to be valid until August 30, 2028.Representative Kim emphasized the u rgency of passing the bill during a House session, stating the need to avoid signaling indifference to North Korean human rights issues. Kim stressed that addressing human rights is crucial to holding the North Korean regime accountable.The bill's passage coincided with the U.N. General Assembly's Third Committee adopting a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 20th consecutive year. Both Seoul and Washington have highlighted the connection between North Korea's repressive political climate and its ongoing weapons programs, advocating for improvements in the country's human rights situation.
- October 12, 2026
