Bill Summary
The **Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act** is a piece of legislation aimed at addressing the separation of Korean American families from their relatives in North Korea due to the aftermath of the Korean War. The bill directs the Secretary of State to create a national registry to collect and organize information on Korean American families seeking reunification with their North Korean relatives.
Key provisions of the act include:
1. **Establishment of a National Registry**: The Secretary of State is tasked with compiling a registry that includes names and relevant details of Korean American families impacted by the division, with the goal of facilitating future reunions, which could occur in South Korea, the United States, or other designated countries.
2. **Facilitation of Dialogue**: The act emphasizes the importance of including discussions around family reunions in any direct dialogues with North Korea. It mandates that the Secretary of State consults with the South Korean government to promote this initiative.
3. **Reporting Requirements**: The Secretary of State is required to report to Congress annually for five years on the status of the registry, the outcomes of past family reunions, responses from North Korea regarding reunion requests, and any regulations hindering family emigration.
Overall, the legislation aims to support the emotional and social needs of divided families and promote reconciliation efforts between the United States and North Korea.
Possible Impacts
The proposed "Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act" could have several effects on individuals and families. Here are three examples:
1. **Reunification Opportunities**: The establishment of a national registry would provide a structured mechanism for Korean American families separated since the Korean War to facilitate reunions with their relatives in North Korea. This could lead to emotional healing and closure for many families who have been divided for decades, allowing them to reconnect, share experiences, and address unresolved feelings stemming from their separation.
2. **Increased Awareness and Advocacy**: By collating information about divided families and their experiences, the registry could raise awareness of the ongoing impact of the Korean War on families. This increased visibility might lead to greater advocacy efforts, both domestically and internationally, aimed at addressing the issues related to family separation and human rights in North Korea, potentially influencing U.S. foreign policy and humanitarian approaches.
3. **Access to Information**: The creation of a private internal repository of information about Korean American families and their North Korean relatives could provide families with critical information regarding their loved ones, including the possibility of identifying deceased family members. This access could help families process their grief and loss more effectively, as well as provide them with insights into their family histories that they might not have been able to obtain otherwise.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1273 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1273
To direct the Secretary of State to establish a national registry of
Korean American divided families, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 12, 2025
Mr. Subramanyam (for himself, Mrs. Kim, Mr. Connolly, and Ms.
Malliotakis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of State to establish a national registry of
Korean American divided families, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Korean American Divided Families
National Registry Act''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL REGISTRY OF KOREAN AMERICAN DIVIDED FAMILIES.
The Secretary of State, acting through the Special Envoy on North
Korean Human Rights Issues or such other individual as the Secretary
may designate, shall--
(1) collate information on Korean American families who
wish to be reunited with family members in North Korea from
which such Korean American families were divided after the
signing of the Agreement Concerning a Military Armistice in
Korea, signed at Panmunjom July 27, 1953 (commonly referred to
as the ``Korean War Armistice Agreement''), in anticipation of
future reunions for such families and family members, including
in-person and video reunions; and
(2) establish a private internal national registry of the
names and other relevant information of such Korean American
families--
(A) to host such future reunions in South Korea,
the United States, or third countries; and
(B) to provide for a private internal repository of
information about such Korean American families and
family members in North Korea, including information
about individuals who may be deceased.
SEC. 3. ACTIONS TO FACILITATE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND
NORTH KOREA.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall take such actions as
may be necessary to ensure that any direct dialogue between the United
States and North Korea includes progress towards holding future
reunions for Korean American families and their family members in North
Korea as described in section 2.
(b) Consultations.--The Secretary of State shall consult with the
Government of the Republic of Korea in carrying out this section.
(c) Report.--No later than one year after enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary of State shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on--
(1) the status of the national registry established
pursuant to section 2(a)(2);
(2) the number of individuals included on the registry
who--
(A) have met their family members in North Korea
during previous reunions; and
(B) have yet to meet their family members in North
Korea during previous reunions;
(3) a summary of responses by North Korea to requests to
hold reunions of divided families; and
(4) a description of regulations in North Korea and actions
taken by North Korea in the year previous to submission of each
report that prevent the emigration of family members of Korean
American families.
(d) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this Act,
``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on Foreign
Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate.
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