Speech #1100163578

Whether the Issue is human rights. missiles or nuclear proliferation. the only consistent interest of the current North Korean regime is the continuation of the current North Korean regime. It holds no value and no regard for human life or the welfare of humanity as a whole. In an effort to help address the grim situation endured by the North Korean people. this bill extends key authorities of the original North Korean Human Rights Act for an additional 4 years. such as funding for humanitarian assistance to North Korean refugees and trafficking victims. efforts to increase freedom of information inside North Korea. support for democracy and human rights activities. and reporting requirements regarding implementation of this act. It also attempts to energize the United States anemic North Korean refugee admissions. and clarifies and strengthens the role of the Special Envoy. which Congress intended to be a fulltime position within the Department of State to champion better policy making on North Korean human rights. humanitarian. and refugee issues. The United States is home to the largest ethnic Korean community outside of the Korean Peninsula. and many of our 2 million KoreanAmerican constituents have family ties to North Korea. Our Nation also has the largest refugee resettlement program in the world by far and has resettled approximately 150.000 refugees from around the world since the year 2004. when the act became law. But over the past 4 years. Mr. Speaker. the United States has settled fewer than 50 North Koreans. notwithstanding the clear mandate of section 303 of the act directing the Secretary of State to facilitate North Korean refugee applications. This is an embarrassment. and it is not in keeping with the intent of Congress in passing the North Korean Human Rights Act. More North Koreans have approached the United States seeking resettlement. but many have been deterred or have abandoned their pursuit because of extended delays that sometimes continue even after they have passed U.S. security screening. A group of increasingly desperate North Korean refugees. some of whom have been awaiting U.S. resettlement for over 2 years. recently carried out a hunger strike to draw attention to their extended limbo. This situation. which continues despite the good work from our regional refugee coordinators. requires persistent. highlevel diplomacy by senior executive branch officials to secure permission from more foreign countries to allow us to process refugees. and prompt exit visas when those North Koreans are ready to leave for the United States. I want to thank my good friend. Chairman BERMAN. and our original cosponsors from both sides of the aisle for their commitment to this important issue. including my friend. Congresswoman SHEILA JACKSONLEE. whose language on North Korean refugees in China was added to section 3 of the bill. I urge unanimous consent for this measure. And I hope that we can work together to get this bill through to the other body and onto the Presidents desk.