Bill Overview
Title: Otto Warmbier Countering North Korean Censorship and Surveillance Act of 2021
Description: This bill authorizes sanctions related to censorship in North Korea and addresses related issues. The President may impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for implementing or facilitating North Korea's censorship laws and surveillance. For the individuals that meet such criteria, the President may also impose visa-blocking sanctions. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Agency for Global Media to provide increased broadcasting and grants for various purposes, including the development of internet freedom tools to facilitate information sharing related to North Korea and the restoration of the agency's broadcasting capacity to North Korea. The President must submit to Congress a strategy to combat North Korea's information environment. The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury must jointly report to Congress each year on U.S. government activities related to the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea.
Sponsors: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals impacted by North Korean Censorship and the activities related to its countermeasures
Estimated Size: 1000
- The bill targets individuals and entities involved in censorship and surveillance in North Korea.
- It seeks to implement sanctions that can affect assets and travel capabilities of those individuals and entities.
- The U.S. Agency for Global Media's role implies a focus on enhancing information freedom towards North Korean audiences.
- North Korean citizens are indirectly impacted as they may benefit from increased access to uncensored information.
- The bill requires U.S. government agencies to monitor and report on these sanctions, implying roles for U.S. citizens in government positions.
Reasoning
- The policy is specifically targeted towards counteracting North Korean censorship and surveillance, mainly impacting individuals and entities directly involved in these activities.
- In the U.S., the main population impacted will be individuals working in government roles related to foreign policy, sanctions enforcement, and broadcasting, as well as technologists who develop internet freedom tools and journalists advocating for international information freedom.
- Given the scope and budget constraints, it is expected that only a small segment of the U.S. population will be directly impacted, primarily those in niche professional roles connected to the policy's objectives.
- The wellbeing impacts among the U.S. population may vary, from job opportunities and increased international engagement for some to minimal awareness for those far removed from these issues.
Simulated Interviews
Foreign Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the policy is a critical step in countering North Korea's oppressive information regime.
- This policy gives us the tools needed to address censorship and human rights violations in North Korea.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could open up new opportunities for tech startups focused on privacy and internet freedom.
- There might be challenges in adapting tech solutions to such a closed-off environment like North Korea.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is important for supporting the free flow of information, but its success depends on execution and enforcement.
- It's always hard to gauge the real impact of such policies on the ground.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Broadcasting Specialist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with the strategic goals of our agency to expand broadcasting capabilities.
- I'm hopeful it will lead to a broader reach and have a positive impact on information accessibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Human Rights Lawyer (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a righteous cause to stand up against North Korea's censorship practices.
- I'm optimistic that it may bring about positive change, although results will take time.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Government Employee (Chicago, IL)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy increases our workload significantly but is crucial for accountability.
- Proper resourcing will be key to effective enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
University Professor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such policies are necessary yet complex, especially in terms of their long-term impacts on diplomacy.
- Educational institutions may play a role in analyzing and supporting these initiatives.
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 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Software Developer (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to increased demand for secure communication tools, which is vital for evading censorship.
- There are concerns about the long-term sustainability of such efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
International Business Consultant (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy adds a complex layer to business compliance, posing both risks and opportunities.
- Staying informed and adaptive is crucial for businesses.
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 | 6 | 7 |
NGO Coordinator (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could significantly bolster projects aimed at countering censorship.
- The funding aspect is crucial to our ability to meet objectives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 2: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 3: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 5: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 10: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Year 100: $35000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $45000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill focuses on sanctions related to North Korean censorship, not directly tied to economic activities that affect the larger U.S. economy.
- Annual costs are largely influenced by technological and personnel investments for enhancing broadcasting and information freedom tools.
- Savings are speculative and based on potential reductions in diplomatic and security tensions with North Korea.
- Tax revenue impacts are limited due to the nature of enforcement and sanctions, which do not directly involve commercial revenue-generation activities.