Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) has joined the Congressional Commission on Korean Divided Families, the only official government entity providing assistance to Korean Americans seeking to contact and reunite with family members in North Korea.  

An estimated 200,000 Korean Americans experience difficulty locating and contacting family in North Korea; the Commission advocates on their behalf by collaborating with the North Korean mission to the United Nations.  Each month, the Commission submits the names of those inquiring about their family members, and by doing so, provides a safe and legitimate way for families to begin the reunification process.

 “The separation of Korean families is a tragic consequence of the Korean War,” Harman said.  “By joining this Commission, I can help the thousands of Korean Americans in my district, some now quite elderly, reconnect with loved ones still in North Korea.”

North Koreans are effectively cut-off from most forms of communication with the outside world.  The heavily-fortified border at the 38th parallel secures and symbolizes the deep division between the North and South. Since official reunification meetings began in 2000, South Korean relief agencies have been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers involved and are only able to assist their own citizens.  As a result, Korean Americans have been forced to enlist the services of third party brokers, which often leads to dangerous and costly scams.

The 36th Congressional District is home to over 10,000 Korean Americans, many of them first generation immigrants who experienced the horror and disruption of the Korean War firsthand.  Constituents are encouraged to contact Harman’s district offices should they be interested in finding out how to begin the process of establishing contact with family in North Korea.