What This Bill Does
This resolution encourages the United States and North Korea to reunite Korean-American families who were separated when the Korean Peninsula divided following the Korean War Armistice Agreement. The resolution calls for identifying families willing to participate in reunion programs and working with South Korea to facilitate contact between separated relatives.
Who It Affects
Korean-American citizens who have relatives in North Korea and have been separated for more than 60 years. The resolution also addresses the United States government and the government of North Korea as parties who should facilitate these reunions.
Key Provisions
• The House calls on the United States and North Korea to identify divided families in both countries who are willing and able to participate in a pilot program for family reunions. (Resolved, Section 1(1)(A))
• The House calls for finding matches for family members through organizations such as the Red Cross. (Resolved, Section 1(1)(B))
• The House calls on the United States and North Korea to work with the Government of South Korea to include American citizens in inter-Korean video reunions. (Resolved, Section 1(1)(C))
• The House urges restoration of contact between divided families through physical, literary or virtual means. (Resolved, Section 1(2))
• The House calls on the United States and North Korea to pursue reunions as a humanitarian priority of immediate concern. (Resolved, Section 1(3))
What Changes
Not specified in bill text. This is a resolution expressing the House's position rather than a law that creates new legal requirements or changes existing government operations.
Important Definitions
The bill defines "South Korea" as the Republic of Korea and "North Korea" as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
IV
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. RES. 126
Encouraging reunions of divided Korean-American families.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 14, 2023
Mrs. KIM of California (for herself, Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE, Mr. GOTTHEIMER,
Mr. FOSTER, Ms. STRICKLAND, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. SHERMAN, Mrs.
STEEL, Mr. BERA, Mrs. RADEWAGEN, Mr. CASE, Ms. TOKUDA, Mr.
KEATING, Mr. KIM of New Jersey, Mr. CONNOLLY, and Mr. MCGOVERN)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs
RESOLUTION
Encouraging reunions of divided Korean-American families.
Whereas the Korean Peninsula, with the Republic of Korea
(in this resolution referred to as ‘‘South Korea’’) in the
South and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (in
this resolution referred to as ‘‘North Korea’’) in the
North, remains divided following the signing of the Ko-
rean War Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953;
Whereas the division of the Korean Peninsula separated more
than 10,000,000 Korean family members, including some
who are now citizens of the United States;
Whereas there have been 21 rounds of family reunions be-
tween South Koreans and North Koreans along the bor-
der since 2000;
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•HRES 126 IH
Whereas Congress signaled its support for family reunions
between United States citizens and their relatives in
North Korea in section 1265 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–
181), signed into law by President George W. Bush on
January 28, 2008;
Whereas most of the population of divided family members in
the United States, initially estimated at 100,000 in 2001,
has significantly dwindled as many of the individuals
have passed away;
Whereas the summit between North Korea and South Korea
on April 27, 2018, has prioritized family reunions;
Whereas the United States and North Korea have engaged
in talks during 2 historic summits in June 2018 in
Singapore and February 2019 in Hanoi; and
Whereas many Korean Americans are waiting for a chance to
meet their relatives in North Korea for the first time in
more than 60 years: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
1
(1) calls on the United States and North Korea
2
to begin the process of reuniting Korean-American
3
divided family members with their immediate rel-
4
atives through ways such as—
5
(A) identifying divided families in the
6
United States and North Korea who are willing
7
and able to participate in a pilot program for
8
family reunions;
9
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•HRES 126 IH
(B) finding matches for members of such
1
families through organizations such as the Red
2
Cross; and
3
(C) working with the Government of South
4
Korea to include American citizens in inter-Ko-
5
rean video reunions;
6
(2) reaffirms the institution of family as in-
7
alienable and, accordingly, urges the restoration of
8
contact between divided families physically, literarily,
9
or virtually; and
10
(3) calls on the United States and North Korea
11
to pursue reunions as a humanitarian priority of im-
12
mediate concern.
13
Æ
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