Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act

This bill, called the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, focuses on peace with North Korea and helping families with loved ones there. It tells the State Department to review current U.S. travel limits to North Korea, especially for humanitarian reasons like funerals and family memorials, and to explain any policy changes they will or won’t make. It also urges active diplomacy to formally end the Korean War and to consider opening basic liaison offices between the United States and North Korea. It does not change the status of U.S. troops in South Korea.

Congress notes that the war never officially ended, many Korean American families have been separated for decades, and roughly 100,000 Americans have relatives in North Korea. The lack of formal relations has made visits and reunions very hard.

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. citizens who want to visit family in North Korea, especially for urgent family or religious reasons; communities hoping for reduced tensions on the Korean peninsula.
• What changes: The State Department must review travel limits and report back; it is urged to push for a binding peace agreement and consider setting up liaison offices with North Korea.
• When: Two reports are due within 180 days after the bill becomes law—one on travel rules and one laying out a roadmap to a permanent peace agreement.
• Not changing: The bill does not alter the status of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea.