West OC Times

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act, a measure designed to assist Korean Americans in reconnecting with family members left behind in North Korea following the Korean War. The bipartisan legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and was passed on the 74th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

"Many Korean Americans continue to experience heartache from a lifetime of separation from relatives trapped in North Korea," said Rep. Steel. "Our family reunification bill will help families reconnect with relatives they haven’t seen since the Korean War – an opportunity they’ve tragically had to wait over 70 years for. 70 years is long enough, and many of these individuals are running out of time to see their loved ones. I’m honored to join Rep. Wexton in passing this long overdue legislation and urge the Senate to promptly take action to help these families."

Rep. Wexton echoed these sentiments: "I’m proud that the House has passed my bipartisan legislation with Rep. Steel to give Korean American families across the U.S. a chance to reconnect with their separated loved ones after more than seven decades," she stated. "Thousands of Korean Americans have not seen or spoken with their relatives for most of their lives, and second- and third-generation Korean Americans know nothing but stories and heartbreak of their separated families. By advancing this legislation with broad bipartisan support, we’re giving those families hope."

The Divided Families National Registry Act aims to establish a data repository through the State Department containing information about both living and deceased relatives in North Korea who were separated from their families during the war. The act also encourages cooperation between the U.S. and North Korea to facilitate reconnection opportunities either through travel or digital means.

This registry is modeled on similar efforts between South Korea and North Korea, which have successfully reunited more than 44,000 families.

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