The House of Representatives unanimously passed the “North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008” Wednesday, amending the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 and extending it for another four year period. The Senate passed the Reauthorization Act of 2008 two days ago.

The original 2004 act described the beliefs of Congress regarding the promotion of human rights, transparency in the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and refugee protection for North Koreans. The 2008 reauthorization draft maintains these basic goals with a few marked changes.

Key amendments to the 2008 version include simplifying the legal requirements for North Korean refugees to enter the U.S. and promotion of the current Special Envoy to North Korea to the level of ambassador.

These amendments reflect common complaints that have been made against the behavior of Washington concerning North Korean human rights issues since the original act was passed in 2004. According to the 2008 draft, senior members of the House and Senate have expressed “deep concern…particularly for the lack of North Korean admissions to the United States” citing that between 2004 and 2008 South Korea resettled 5961 North Korean refugees while the US only settled 64. The additional authority granted to the Special Envoy via the newly appointed ambassadorial status, which will allow the envoy to provide additional protection to refugees, is also in part an amendment prompted be these concerns.

It was also emphasized that a more coordinated effort between the United States and South Korea is needed to help expedite the refugee screening process.

Regarding this, Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who authorized the Act, noted forcefully on Tuesday in a press release that "The United States has resettled about 150,000 refugees since Congress passed the original North Korean Human Rights Act in 2004, and yet fewer than 70 have come from North Korea… Those who attempt to escape North Korea’s vile conditions risk torture and death; we must do better in our efforts to help those who want to embrace freedom and democracy.”

Another key point of the 2008 amended version is how funds will be appropriated for the next four year period. The two main focuses are for the increased activity of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within North Korea and increased assistance to North Korean refugees.