U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Religious Freedom in North Korea and North Korean Refugees: Trends and U.S. Policy Options

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Religious Freedom in North Korea and North Korean Refugees: Trends and U.S. Policy Options

Thursday, September 26, 2024
10:30 AM-12 PM ET
Virtual

Register Here

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on religious freedom conditions in North Korea, North Korean refugees, and policy options for the U.S. government.

Religious freedom conditions in North Korea remain abysmal. The regime’s ruling ideology, known as Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, treats religion as an existential threat, resulting in severe punishment for religious adherents, including torture, forced labor, imprisonment, and execution. North Koreans outside the country face transnational repression and forcible return, especially North Korean refugees in China who have engaged in religious activities or come in contact with Christian missionaries, despite the risk of torture or other severe punishments upon return. In its 2024 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate North Korea as a Country of Particular Concern for engaging in or tolerating particularly severe violations of religious freedom. In July, USCIRF traveled to South Korea (Republic of Korea) to meet with South Korean government officials, human rights activists, religious leaders, North Korean defectors, and other civil society organizations working to promote religious freedom and related human rights in North Korea.

Witnesses will discuss religious freedom inside North Korea and the situation for North Korean refugees in South Korea, China, and other countries. They will also consider U.S. policy approaches towards North Korea, including the intersection between human rights and national security.

Opening Remarks

• Stephen Schneck, Chair, USCIRF
• Eric Ueland, Vice Chair, USCIRF

Panel I

• Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, U.S. Department of State

Panel II

• Hanna Song, Executive Director, the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB)
• Ethan Shin, Legal Analyst, Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG)
• Joanna Hosaniak, Deputy Director General, Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR)
• Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director, the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK)

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions or to schedule an interview, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.