Bill · S. 4900· Senate(119-S-4900)
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/24/2026
- Last activity
- 6/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Timothy Kaine
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 and update various provisions related to human rights and humanitarian issues. It addresses the deplorable conditions in North Korea, including political prison camps, starvation, and the persecution of religious minorities. The legislation calls for increased information access to counter North Korean propaganda through broadcasting operations. It also urges the Government of the People's Republic of China to halt the forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees. Additionally, the bill seeks to promote the effective delivery of humanitarian aid and provides for the resettlement of refugees in the United States. Finally, it updates several timelines and authorities to extend through October 2030.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would immigrants be better off under this?+7
The bill promotes the protection and resettlement of North Korean refugees and escapees.
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?+7
The bill supports broadcasting operations to provide information and counter regime propaganda in North Korea.
Would women be better off under this?+6
The bill urges the recognition of legal status for North Korean women in China to ensure access to public services.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Refugees: The bill encourages the United States to urge China to halt the forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees, which helps protect people from being sent back to prison camps, interrogation, or execution (Section 3, paragraph 3; Section 8).
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Improved Refugee Resettlement: The Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security are directed to collaborate with organizations to resettle North Korean refugees in areas with existing Korean-American communities to help mitigate trauma and mental health issues (Section 7, paragraph a).
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Access to Information: The bill supports broadcasting operations that serve as a critical source of news and information for the North Korean people to counter regime propaganda (Section 2, paragraph 9).
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Support for Humanitarian Aid: The bill encourages the effective and transparent delivery of humanitarian aid to ensure it reaches its intended recipients in North Korea (Section 3, paragraph 4; Section 9, paragraph a).
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Legal Status for Families: It seeks to have the Chinese government recognize the legal status of North Korean women who marry or have children with Chinese citizens to ensure they have access to education and public services (Section 3, paragraph 3, clause E).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Travel Risks for Citizens: The Department of State maintains a policy of blocking United States passports from being used to travel to North Korea without special validation to manage the risks and dangers of travel to that country (Section 3, paragraph 5).
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Sanctions Risks: While the bill discusses humanitarian exemptions, it notes that the international community has imposed sanctions due to North Korea's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and gross human rights violations (Section 9, paragraph a, clause 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Immigrants+7Good For Women+6Good For Children+5Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Asian Americans+3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Pathway To Citizenship+6Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Freedom Of Speech+7
- Healthcare
- Improves Mental Health Access+5
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+3
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska