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

31 Mar 2025

On September 26, 2024, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) held a virtual hearing to discuss the state of religious freedom in North Korea and the challenges faced by North Korean refugees. 

Hanna Song, Executive Director of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB), participated as a witness. She provided insights into the severe persecution of religious practitioners within North Korea and highlighted the hardships faced by North Korean defectors in China and other countries. She emphasized the need for comprehensive U.S. policy approaches that address both human rights and national security concerns related to North Korea. 

The full hearing details and testimonies can be accessed by clicking HERE