The US Congress on Thursday failed to pass a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act (NKHRA). The NKHRA reauthorization bill seeks to renew funding for humanitarian efforts in North Korea and reaffirms the key purposes of the law.

Apart from renewing the funding, the reauthorization bill also criticizes the executive branch’s slow implementation of the law, particularly in naming a special envoy. Although -president-elect Donald Trump signed the legislation in 2018, he did not appoint a special envoy for his entire four years in office. Additionally, President Biden went two years without nominating a special envoy for North Korea.

Adopted by President George W. Bush in 2004, the original NKHRA sought to promote respect and protection of fundamental human rights in North Korea. Additionally, Congress wanted to promote the free flow of information and the reunification of North and South Korea.

Under the Bush administration, the legislation authorized up to $20 million per year for North Korean refugee assistance, instructed the State Department to facilitate North Korean applications for US refugee status, and required the president to appoint a special envoy for North Korean human rights.

Twenty years after the law’s adoption, international human rights groups have still been calling for the international community to step up in promoting human rights in North Korea. In its World Report 2024, Human Rights Watch continues to address concerns on freedom of expression, information, movement, the right to health, forced labor, gender equality and discrimination against people from lower social classes. Amnesty International recorded similar concerns in its North Korea 2023 report.

California Representative Young Kim expressed her disappointment in Congress’ failure to reauthorize the NKHRA, and vowed to keep fighting for the legislation. Congress identified ongoing human rights abuses in the original NKHRA bill, including draconian punishments and starvation. Many have expressed hope that the 119th Congress, which is set to begin this upcoming year, will reauthorize the NKHRA and commit to protecting human rights.