By Voice of America, Mandarin Service
Published April 30, 2026

             “I don’t understand why anyone in the world would want to emulate Xi Jinping,” said U.S. Representative Chris Smith, a Republican, on April 28 during a hearing on human rights in North Korea, criticizing the South Korean government’s alleged abandonment of human rights. He stated that immediate action was needed, “otherwise we will hand South Korea over to the Communist Party—and that would be extremely disastrous.”

             The hearing, hosted by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, discussed the human rights situation in North Korea and the South Korean government’s obstruction of efforts to promote human rights there. Representative Smith said the U.S. administration and Congress have consistently viewed South Korea as a model democratic ally and partner in promoting human rights; however, he believes recent developments have raised serious concerns about a decline in South Korean democracy.