North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/5959
Last Updated: November 10, 2025

Sponsored by

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

ID: K000397

Follow the money

The bill

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025

HR. 5959, 119th Congress.

The sponsor

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$110,460 raised

30 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Invalid Date

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in futility, courtesy of our esteemed Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a rehashing of the same tired rhetoric and empty promises that have been peddled for decades. The bill's primary objective is to reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, which has done little to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. This new iteration aims to "promote the protection of human rights" and "support nongovernmental radio broadcasting to North Korea." How quaint.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill reiterates the same findings as its predecessor, highlighting the deplorable human rights conditions in North Korea. It also calls for the United States to:

* Continue supporting nongovernmental radio broadcasting to North Korea (because that's clearly been effective so far) * Urge China to halt its forcible repatriation of North Korean refugees and allow UNHCR access to determine refugee status * Promote transparent delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid in North Korea

The only notable change is the appointment of a Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, which has been vacant since 2017. Because, clearly, having someone with a fancy title will magically solve all the problems.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** * The people of North Korea (who will likely see no tangible improvements in their human rights situation) * China (which will probably ignore the bill's recommendations and continue its repatriation policies) * South Korea (which might receive some token support for its efforts to promote human rights in North Korea) * Humanitarian organizations (which may receive funding for their efforts, but will likely face significant bureaucratic hurdles)

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "legislative theater." It's a feel-good measure designed to appease human rights advocates and make politicians look like they're doing something. In reality, it will have little to no impact on the ground.

The North Korean regime will continue to ignore international pressure, China will maintain its repatriation policies, and humanitarian organizations will struggle to access the country. Meanwhile, Congress can pat itself on the back for "doing something" about human rights in North Korea.

In short, this bill is a placebo – a harmless but ineffective treatment designed to make everyone feel better without actually addressing the underlying problems. It's a waste of time, money, and resources that could be better spent on actual solutions rather than empty rhetoric.

Related Topics

Human Rights & Global Development
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$110,460
23 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$37,860
Committees
$0
Individuals
$72,600

No PAC contributions found

1
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
1 transaction
$3,300
3
OTOE MISSOURIA TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$3,300
4
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA OF NORTH DAKOTA
1 transaction
$3,300
5
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
6
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$3,300
7
AT&T INC & ITS AFFLIATES
1 transaction
$3,000
8
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$3,000
9
ABBVIE PAC - FEDERAL PAC
1 transaction
$2,500
10
ISE-SHIMA
1 transaction
$1,760
11
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,500
12
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
13
PIONEER PHARMACY
2 transactions
$1,000
14
JACKSON FAMILY TRUST
1 transaction
$500
15
LAW OFFICES OF PETER CHEN
1 transaction
$500

No committee contributions found

1
DRESNER, LINDA
2 transactions
$13,200
2
LEVY, EDWARD
2 transactions
$13,200
3
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
2 transactions
$13,200
4
AMBROSE, JOAN
1 transaction
$6,600
5
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
6
REGIABA, ADAM
1 transaction
$6,600
7
VANDER SLOOT, FRANK
1 transaction
$6,600
8
VANDER SLOOT, BELINDA
1 transaction
$6,600

Donor Network - Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 64 nodes and 30 connections (72 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $110,460

Top Donors - Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Showing top 23 donors by contribution amount

15 Orgs8 Individuals

Related Bills