Source: www.uscirf.gov
Date: October 20, 2022
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing
U.S. Policy and Freedom of Religion or Belief in North Korea
Thursday, October 27, 2022
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Hearing
Register Here
Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on freedom of religion or belief in North Korea and recommendations for U.S. foreign policy.
A monumental 2014 report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea found that “there is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” Two recent USCIRF research reports found that the North Korean government continues to treat religion as an existential threat and to perpetrate horrific religious freedom violations against its own people. However, nuclear and security issues tend to dominate bilateral and multilateral negotiations with North Korea, often overshadowing human rights and religious freedom concerns.
Witnesses will provide latest updates on religious freedom in the country and discuss recommendations for U.S. policy toward North Korea, including the status of the important position of the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues.
Opening Remarks
A monumental 2014 report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea found that “there is an almost complete denial of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.” Two recent USCIRF research reports found that the North Korean government continues to treat religion as an existential threat and to perpetrate horrific religious freedom violations against its own people. However, nuclear and security issues tend to dominate bilateral and multilateral negotiations with North Korea, often overshadowing human rights and religious freedom concerns.
Witnesses will provide latest updates on religious freedom in the country and discuss recommendations for U.S. policy toward North Korea, including the status of the important position of the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues.
Opening Remarks
- Abraham Cooper, Vice Chair, USCIRF
- Frederick A. Davie, Commissioner, USCIRF
- Robert King, former U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Issues, U.S. Department of State; Senior Adviser (Non-resident), Korea Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Inje Hwang, Investigator, Korea Future
- Shirley Lee, Consultant, Korea Future
- Witness of Religious Freedom Violations in North Korea
This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please contact Danielle Ashbahian at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (202) 702-2778.