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: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in North Korea and North Korean expatriates
Estimated Size: 10000
- The bill focuses on promoting human rights in North Korea, impacting North Korean citizens.
- It provides grants to nonprofit organizations working on human rights and democracy, affecting both organizations and North Korean citizens.
- Many North Koreans will be affected, potentially improving their access to uncensored information and humanitarian assistance.
- The bill also supports humanitarian initiatives for North Koreans outside North Korea who left without government permission, affecting those expatriates.
Reasoning
- The policy's immediate impact might be felt more by organizations and expatriates who are directly working with or advocating for human rights in North Korea.
- Stakeholders such as NGO workers might experience an increase in job satisfaction due to better resources but may not see a direct improvement in personal wellbeing.
- Family members of North Korean expatriates in the U.S. might have mixed feelings and little measurable change in personal wellbeing.
- Funds are limited compared to the scale of the issue, likely leading to moderate but not widespread changes in wellbeing for the targeted American population.
- General population in the U.S. will largely remain unaffected as the primary focus is on North Korean human rights and expatriate support.
Simulated Interviews
Nonprofit Worker (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am pleased Congress is reauthorizing efforts for North Korean human rights.
- Funding can bring vital resources to our initiatives trying to broadcast uncensored information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
University Professor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a good step but is only a small piece of solving the human rights issues in North Korea.
- Resource allocation should be carefully monitored to maximize impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Activist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding increases can help us reach more defectors who need resources.
- Convincing the U.S. public about the urgency of the North Korean situation is challenging.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Government Employee (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Promoting human rights in regions like North Korea is crucial but comes with geopolitical strains.
- The policy aligns with our long-term goal of promoting rule of law globally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Tech Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope increased resources will bring more visibility to North Korean issues.
- I’m glad to see humanitarian efforts being continuously funded.
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 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
North Korean Expatriate (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for providing support to those who escaped North Korea.
- Getting uncensored information into North Korea is vital for change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Retired Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see that North Korean issues are being addressed again.
- Hopeful that political focus will remain strong, but my personal life remains mostly unchanged.
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 |
Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging to see legislative support for critical issues in North Korea.
- Hopes more focus will come from increased awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Healthcare Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More support could help us do better on the ground for those in need.
- Concerned about effective resource allocation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Business Owner (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think funding human rights is important, but I'm not personally involved.
- I'm primarily concerned about local economic policies.
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 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 2: $2100000 (Low: $1600000, High: $2600000)
Year 3: $2200000 (Low: $1700000, High: $2700000)
Year 5: $2500000 (Low: $1900000, High: $3000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The political situation in North Korea may affect the implementation and success of the bill's activities.
- The efficiency and transparency of nonprofit organizations in utilizing the grants will be critical.
- International relations and sanctions on North Korea could impact the logistics and cost of information dissemination and assistance efforts.