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North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4900| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Dan Sullivan (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends the provisions of the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 until October 18, 2030. Its primary purpose is to continue promoting human rights, documenting violations, ensuring transparency in humanitarian aid, and protecting refugees in North Korea. The legislation emphasizes that human rights conditions in North Korea remain deplorable, citing widespread abuses like forced labor, torture, and political prison camps. A significant new provision authorizes discretionary sanctions against any entity that knowingly forces the repatriation of North Korean refugees. The bill also urges the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately halt its forcible repatriation of North Koreans and allow unimpeded access for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Furthermore, it encourages collaboration with faith-based and Korean-American organizations to resettle North Korean refugees in the United States. The bill reinforces efforts to promote freedom of information by updating agency names and extending reporting requirements for information dissemination into North Korea. It mandates annual reports from the Secretary of State on efforts to appoint a Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues if the position is vacant. Finally, the legislation requires reports on how the North Korean regime exploits humanitarian assistance and on denied or delayed humanitarian exemptions from international sanctions.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4216
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-584
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

S 115-1118
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017
Nov 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5959
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4216
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-584
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 115-1118
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017


  • November 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5959
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

International Affairs

North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4900| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2026
This bill, titled the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends the provisions of the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 until October 18, 2030. Its primary purpose is to continue promoting human rights, documenting violations, ensuring transparency in humanitarian aid, and protecting refugees in North Korea. The legislation emphasizes that human rights conditions in North Korea remain deplorable, citing widespread abuses like forced labor, torture, and political prison camps. A significant new provision authorizes discretionary sanctions against any entity that knowingly forces the repatriation of North Korean refugees. The bill also urges the Government of the People's Republic of China to immediately halt its forcible repatriation of North Koreans and allow unimpeded access for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Furthermore, it encourages collaboration with faith-based and Korean-American organizations to resettle North Korean refugees in the United States. The bill reinforces efforts to promote freedom of information by updating agency names and extending reporting requirements for information dissemination into North Korea. It mandates annual reports from the Secretary of State on efforts to appoint a Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues if the position is vacant. Finally, the legislation requires reports on how the North Korean regime exploits humanitarian assistance and on denied or delayed humanitarian exemptions from international sanctions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4216
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-584
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

S 115-1118
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017
Nov 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5959
Introduced in House
Jun 24, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4216
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-584
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 115-1118
    North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017


  • November 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5959
    Introduced in House


  • June 24, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine

Democratic Senator

Virginia

Cosponsors (1)
Dan Sullivan (Republican)

Foreign Relations Committee

International Affairs

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted