U.S. Rep. Young Kim speaks during a meeting in this undated file photo. Korea Times file
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to reauthorize and update the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act aimed at promoting rights and freedom in the reclusive state.
The House endorsed the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act in a 335-37 vote, raising hopes for filling the legal void left by the expiry of the reauthorization act in 2022. First adopted in 2004, the North Korean Human Rights Act is updated and reauthorized periodically.
The House bill has been spearheaded by Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Ami Bera (D-CA). In the Senate, a North Korean human rights bill, introduced by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), has yet to gain a committee-level endorsement.
The House bill calls for the process of reuniting Korean American family members with their immediate relatives in North Korea, appointing the special envoy for North Korean human rights if the post remains vacant and promoting freedom of information in the reclusive country, among other measures. It is to be valid through Aug. 30, 2028.
"The authorization for the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 lapsed in 2022. We must get this legislation signed into law this Congress," Kim said during a House session.
"We cannot ignore the threat posed by North Korea and holding the North Korean regime accountable without supporting human rights is a nonstarter," she added.
Kim went on to say, "Failing to reauthorize a landmark human rights initiative sends a signal to Kim Jong-un that the United States will allow human rights in North Korea and around the world to fall on deaf ears."
The passage of the bill at the House came as the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution on North Korean human rights for the 20th consecutive year Wednesday.
Seoul and Washington have stressed the importance of improvement in the North's human rights environment on the grounds that a repressive political climate has led the regime to continue to push for its weapons programs without allowing for public comment. (Yonhap)