Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act
In Committee
Introduced:Feb 12, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Dan Newhouse
Representative
Republican
WA-4
Cosponsors
16
Quick Stats
Policy Area
International Affairs
Summary
This bill establishes a national registry of Korean American families seeking reunification with relatives in North Korea, separated since the Korean War armistice. The State Department must collect information on divided families and ensure family reunions are addressed in any direct dialogue with North Korea. Periodic reports to Congress track registry status and reunion progress.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill establishes a national registry of Korean American families seeking reunification with relatives in North Korea, separated since the Korean War armistice. The State Department must collect information on divided families and ensure family reunions are addressed in any direct dialogue with North Korea. Periodic reports to Congress track registry status and reunion progress.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act</strong></p><p>This bill establishes a national registry of Korean American families who wish to be reunited with family members living in North Korea. The bill also requires the Department of State to include reunions of such families in any direct dialogue with North Korea.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires the State Department to (1) collect information on Korean American families, divided from North Korean family members after the Korean War armistice, who wish to be reunited with such family members; and (2) establish a national registry of information on those families to facilitate future reunions. The State Department must ensure that any direct dialogue with North Korea includes progress towards holding such reunions.</p><p>The State Department must report to Congress periodically on the registry, previous reunions, and on certain North Korean actions related to reunions.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates national registry of divided Korean American families
Tracks families separated since Korean War armistice
Requires State Department to address reunions in North Korea talks
Facilitates future family reunification efforts
Mandates periodic reports to Congress
Supports Korean Americans seeking contact with North Korean relatives
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
Tens of thousands of Korean Americans have relatives in North Korea they have not seen since the 1950s. As these elderly family members age, time for reunification grows short. This bill ensures the U.S. government formally tracks divided families and prioritizes reunions in diplomatic engagement with North Korea. While actual reunions depend on North Korean cooperation, the registry demonstrates U.S. commitment to this humanitarian issue and provides infrastructure for future progress.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
International Affairs
Related Subjects
Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Family relationships
Family services
Government information and archives
North Korea
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1273, 119th Congress (2025). "Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1273
