Recommendation to Create a Special State Department Office for North Korean Refugees

The U.S. State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) has primary responsibility within the U.S. Government for formulating refugee policies and for administering U.S. refugee assistance and admissions programs. In FY 2006, PRM managed nearly $1 billion in funds and admitted more than 41,000 refugees from around the world to the United States. PRM has been the lead in State on assisting North Korean refugees, facilitating their admission to the United States and coordinating with advocates also working on their behalf. PRM coordinates with other bureaus in the State Department, including East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the Office of the Special Envoy for Human Rights in North Korea, and other federal agencies to implement the refugee-related aspects of the North Korean Human Rights Act.