Yoho Bill Helps End Kim Jong Un’s Monopoly On Information

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, amended the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017 (H.R. 2061) with language from his bill, the Distribution and Promotion of Rights and Knowledge Act (H.R. 2397). Congressman Yoho’s bill language updates the means in which information can be disseminated, helping to find new ways to end the Kim regime’s monopoly on information.  H.R. 2061 passed 415-0.
 

Congressman Yoho delivered the following speech on the house floor in support of the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R.2061, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2017

“I commend Chairman-emeritus Ros Lehtinen for leading this reauthorization effort, and Chairman Royce and my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee for their support of this legislation.

“The horrific human rights abuses committed by Kim Jong Un are an integral part of his power structure. Countering these unspeakable crimes, however we can, is both a moral imperative and sound strategy.

“As amended, H.R.2061 includes my Distribution and Promotion of Rights and Knowledge Act, which will improve U.S. efforts to broadcast outside information into North Korea, weakening Kim Jong Un’s regime by eroding his stranglehold on information.

“Specifically, this language updates the means in which information can be disseminated, helping to find new ways to end the Kim regime’s monopoly on information. The two bills are natural partners, and together they meaningfully advance human rights and the free flow of information in North Korea.”