Washington, D.C. — The North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, and the Korean Interdiction and Modernization Sanctions Act are two pivotal laws that sharpen and strengthen U.S. sanctions against North Korea’s regime. However, several of the reporting requirements in both Acts are set to expire, or have expired. This includes reports to Congress on North Korean arms trafficking, enhanced at-sea inspections, cybersecurity, North Korea/Iran cooperation, and international financial messaging.

 “This bill provides continuity in U.S. policy, and ensures the clarity of purpose to keep the Pacific region secure from North Korea’s regime,” said Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata. “Thank you to Congresswoman Steel for her leadership on this effort so the U.S. is always ready with these up-to-date security essentials.”

 “These reports are vital as Congress shapes its response to North Korea’s continued aggression on the Korean Peninsula,” said Steel. “Just yesterday, Kim Jong Un held a massive military parade to display his nuclear arsenal. We must be completely clear on the danger posed by North Korea in order to properly respond with sanctions and other deterrents. This bill reaffirms our commitment to addressing North Korea’s significant threat to the national security of the United States and our allies. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation so we can send a clear message to the Kim regime and the networks in the Chinese Communist Party, Iran, and Russia that enable their growing hostility.”

 “As North Korea sends arms shipments to Wagner Group forces to aid Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and launches ballistic missiles over Japan’s sovereign territory, we must continue Congressional oversight on Kim Jong Un’s malign activity,” said Connolly.  “I thank Representative Steel, who is among the first Korean American women to serve in Congress, for leading this effort to assert Congress’ role in assessing and addressing the national security threat that North Korea poses to the United States, our strong allies in South Korea and Japan, and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”

At the same time as these reports could lag, the Chinese Communist Party and Russia continue to reward North Korea by blocking additional U.N. sanctions over its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. It is vital that Congress is fully aware of the CCP and Russia’s efforts to support North Korea’s threats to world peace.