Encouraging reunions of divided Korean-American families.

H. Res. 294 In the House of Representatives, U. S., July 20, 2021. 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; 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:09 Jul 20, 2021 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 Z:\XMLBILLS\HR294.EH hr294 2 •HRES 294 EH 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) calls on the United States and North Korea to begin the process of reuniting Korean-American divided family members with their immediate relatives through ways such as— (A) identifying divided families in the United States and North Korea who are willing and able to participate in a pilot program for family reunions; (B) finding matches for members of such fami- lies through organizations such as the Red Cross; and (C) working with the Government of South Korea to include American citizens in inter-Korean video reunions; (2) reaffirms the institution of family as inalienable and, accordingly, urges the restoration of contact be- tween divided families physically, literarily, or virtually; and VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:09 Jul 20, 2021 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 Z:\XMLBILLS\HR294.EH hr294 3 •HRES 294 EH (3) calls on the United States and North Korea to pursue reunions as a humanitarian priority of immediate concern. Attest: Clerk. VerDate Sep 11 2014 13:09 Jul 20, 2021 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 Z:\XMLBILLS\HR294.EH hr294