Bill Overview
Title: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 various activities to promote human rights in North Korea. These activities include (1) providing grants to nonprofit organizations to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) increasing the availability of sources of information inside North Korea that are not controlled by North Korea's government; and (3) supporting organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of North Korea's government.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-39]
Target Audience
Population: people in and from North Korea
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill directly targets the population of North Korea, focusing on improving conditions related to human rights, democracy, and rule of law.
- The number of people in North Korea, as of recent estimates, is approximately 26 million.
- There are significant numbers of North Korean refugees and defectors outside of North Korea who could also benefit from these initiatives.
- The bill engages in activities that may influence human rights organizations and nonprofit entities globally, indirectly impacting a broader audience concerned with North Korean issues.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily focused on activities benefiting North Koreans, both inside and outside of North Korea, which suggests most direct effects will be felt by organizations engaged in such activities.
- Americans who are likely to perceive any direct impact might include employees of NGOs working on Korean human rights issues, Korean-Americans with familial connections to North Korea, and individuals interested in international human rights advocacy.
- For most Americans, the impact of this policy would be negligible since it does not directly target domestic US issues. However, there could be indirect societal benefits related to increased awareness and involvement in global human rights issues.
- Considering the budget and target population primarily extending outside the US, any self-reported wellbeing changes among Americans would likely be subtle and more related to social values or job security within affected NGOs.
Simulated Interviews
Human Rights NGO Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that these grants will allow us to expand our reach and provide more support to defectors.
- This policy might help more people understand the complexity of the North Korean situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Korean-American Community Leader (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see efforts being made, but I wish more could be done directly for families like mine.
- This policy might create more awareness, which is a positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Freelance Journalist (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide more material and reasons to sustain public interest in North Korean human rights issues.
- However, I'm skeptical about how much change it will actually drive on the ground.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Retired Military Officer (Houston, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a positive move but needs to be part of a broader strategy to make a real difference.
- I hope these efforts can lead to long-term improvements for the Korean people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, DC)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The funding outlined in this policy could lead to meaningful impacts, but it's crucial to evaluate the measures' effectiveness repeatedly.
- I expect to see some changes in organizational priorities as funds get allocated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Oakland, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's promising to see international focus on human rights issues in North Korea.
- I wonder how the long-term outcomes will reflect the current intentions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Corporate Executive (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as an opportunity to align corporate objectives with global humanitarian efforts.
- We can channel some resources to support these initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Nonprofit Fundraiser (New York, NY)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Receiving these grants would allow us to increase our aid efforts and outreach.
- There is hope this policy can create a ripple effect in terms of awareness and funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
University Professor (Boston, MA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This reauthorization is an academic interest, showing a continuation of intended pressure on North Korean human rights abuse.
- However, measurable impacts are harder to gauge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Tech Startup Founder (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could inspire innovative tech solutions that improve access to information in North Korea.
- However, implementation is key, and funding isn't always distributed wisely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Political implications of funding activities in and around North Korea, which may affect diplomatic relations.
- Evaluating the effectiveness and accountability of nonprofit organizations receiving US grants.
- Balance between promoting human rights and respecting North Korean sovereignty in international affairs.