Rep. Young Kim Chairs North Korea Freedom Week Roundtable, Urges Passage of North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee Chair Young Kim (CA-40) hosted the 23rd annual North Korea Freedom Week Roundtable, joining 11 North Korean defectors to shed light on the regime’s ongoing human rights abuses and the urgent need to support those seeking freedom. Participants shared firsthand accounts of the brutal conditions, systemic repression, and constant surveillance faced by the North Korean people. Their testimonies underscored the moral urgency for Congress to act and made clear why lawmakers must pass the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2025, Chairwoman Kim’s legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the landmark North Korean Human Rights Act first enacted in 2004. “Kim Jong Un knows nothing but power and is hellbent on lining his own pockets and expanding his nuclear arsenal at the expense of his own people. The gross human rights abuses perpetuated on the North Korean people cannot be tolerated,” said Chairwoman Kim. “Hearing directly from defectors is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake and why we must stand with the freedom-loving people trapped under this brutal regime. I’m proud to lead the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act to ensure the United States continues to take action and hold Kim Jong Un accountable.” Read more about the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act HERE .