The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, a bipartisan human rights body in the House of Representatives, held a hearing on North Korean human rights on Tuesday, the 28th. However, during this hearing, which took place after several years, lawmakers' attention was drawn to the South Korean government's oppressive policies rather than North Korea.

Co-chair Christopher Smith (Republican, New Jersey) characterized the North Korean regime as one of the most oppressive in the world and emphasized that information is the most powerful force for change in North Korea. He expressed deep concern over the measures taken by the Lee Jae-myung administration to obstruct and suppress the flow of this information.

Representative Smith is currently the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, having served since 1981. He is also a strong opponent of abortion, having chaired the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and served as co-chair of the Pro-Life Caucus during the first Trump administration.

VOA (Voice of America) reported that the hearing, themed "North Korean Human Rights Movement: Current Prospects and Obstacles," was a platform where "the U.S. Congress directly addressed the issue amid concerns that the space for the North Korean human rights movement is shrinking." The report added that "Chairman Smith stressed that the discussion should lead to concrete actions."

'North Korea Freedom Week' events are continuing this week in Washington D.C. Delegations of North Korean defectors are continuing their meetings with U.S. congressional officials. Chairman Smith stated that the testimonies of five North Korean defectors were submitted in writing at today's hearing.

This hearing was the first by the Human Rights Commission in four years, since a virtual hearing on South Korea's refugee policy and the ban on propaganda leaflets to North Korea was held at the end of June 2022.

Dr. Tara O stated at the hearing that South Korea is rapidly becoming socialist and communist since being taken over by a pro-China, pro-North Korea regime. She further revealed that attempts are underway to change the constitution in the local elections to be held in just one month.

While the specific content of the constitutional changes is unclear, she expressed concern that attempts to enshrine a socialist agenda in the constitution, by removing the word 'freedom' and inserting the 5.18 incident, which failed during the previous Moon Jae-in administration, might be repeated.

She pointed out that South Korea is losing freedom of speech and freedom of religion under the Lee Jae-myung administration and is becoming a satellite state of the Chinese Communist Party. As examples, she cited police crackdowns on university gatherings, the Democratic Party's operation of "democratic police boxes," the introduction of gagging bills, and the arrest and imprisonment of pastors Son Hyun-bo and Jeon Kwang-hoon.

Chairman Smith stated, "Thank you for warning us about the tremendous danger that now threatens us all, regarding the rapid transformation of the Republic of Korea into the 'People's Republic of South Korea.'"

He added, "Perhaps all of us, and I know the White House has also expressed concern, but this matter needs to move to the next stage. There is no doubt about that."

Smith also recalled that Michelle Steel, a former House member nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, was a member of the Select Committee on the CCP, saying, "She will undoubtedly demonstrate outstanding capabilities."

He continued, "We must intensify our oversight and public opinion efforts regarding South Korea on a diplomatic level to prevent the erosion of human rights and democracy within the country," and added, addressing Dr. Tara O, "Your call to action was very effective."

Dr. Tara O is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, a fellow at the Hudson Institute, the East Asian Research Center (EARC), and the Korean-American Institute (ICAS). She is currently serving as an academic advisor at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

By Hong Sung-goo, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special Dispatch NNP info@newsandpost.com