S.555 - Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.555, the Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act, directs the Secretary of State to establish a national registry of Korean American families who wish to be reunited with family members in North Korea. This registry aims to facilitate future reunions, including in-person and video conferences, and serve as a repository of information about these families and their relatives in North Korea.
The bill also requires the Secretary of State to ensure that any direct dialogue between the United States and North Korea includes discussions about holding reunions for these families. Furthermore, it mandates consultations with the Government of the Republic of Korea and regular reporting to Congress on the status of the registry and related efforts.
An appropriation of $1,000,000 is authorized to carry out the provisions of the Act.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to the creation of a formal registry of Korean American divided families, potentially increasing the chances of reunions with relatives in North Korea. It will also formalize the process of including family reunion discussions in US-North Korea dialogues.
Increased reporting to Congress will provide greater transparency regarding the status of these efforts. The bill could also strengthen diplomatic ties with South Korea through required consultations.
Potential Benefits
- Facilitates Family Reunions: The primary benefit is the potential for Korean American families to reunite with relatives in North Korea.
- Provides a Centralized Information Repository: The national registry will serve as a valuable resource for information on divided families.
- Promotes Dialogue: The bill encourages dialogue between the US and North Korea on humanitarian issues.
- Increases Transparency: Regular reporting to Congress will ensure oversight and accountability.
- Strengthens Diplomatic Ties: Consultation with South Korea can improve diplomatic relations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on Korean American divided families, potentially excluding other groups facing similar challenges.
- Dependence on North Korea: The success of the reunions depends heavily on North Korea's cooperation, which is uncertain.
- Potential for Bureaucracy: The creation of a national registry could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies.
- Cost Inefficiency: $1,000,000 may not be sufficient to effectively manage the registry and facilitate reunions.
- Uncertainty of Success: There is no guarantee that the registry will lead to actual family reunions.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty, as stated in the Preamble. It does not infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or provisions.
The bill falls under the purview of Congress's power to regulate foreign relations, as outlined in Article I, Section 8. The allocation of funds is subject to congressional appropriation, a power explicitly granted by the Constitution.
There is no apparent conflict with any specific constitutional amendment or principle.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).