“It’s time to take North Korea seriously”, Menendez said.
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The so-called “BDA sanctions” are considered the most effective sanctions on the North ever.
“Asean reiterates the importance of dialogue and constructive engagement for maintaining peace and security in the Korean Peninsula”, the statement said.
Washington, Seoul and others consider the launch a banned test of missile technology.
Voting records have shown overwhelming congressional support for punishing Pyongyang for its fourth nuclear on January 6 and its sixth long-range missile launch on February 7, which showed the regime has made strides in its efforts to develop nuclear missiles capable of reaching the U.S.
The US Congress adopted tougher sanctions on North Korea Friday, in a bid to punish the reclusive Asian nation for its provocative recent nuclear test and rocket launch.
“This legislation… will use targeted sanctions to isolate Kim Jong-un and his top officials from the assets they maintain in foreign banks, and from the cash that sustains their weapons programs, their army, and their luxurious lifestyle”, said Republican Representative Ed Royce, as quoted by Korea Herald.
Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) who represents Millburn Township in the U.S. House of Representatives today announced that the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act is on its way to the President’s desk following passage in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. The bill passed the Senate Wednesday with a unanimous vote of 56-0 and then overwhelmingly in the House, 408-2.
The legislation also authorizes $50 million over the next five years to transmit radio broadcasts into North Korea, purchase communications equipment and support humanitarian assistance programs.
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“But we all recognize that it is the very technology that is used to construct the IBMs [Intercontinental Ballistic Missile] that they aspire to posses and hold our homeland at risk”, he added. Moreover, it also targets investigations of “sanctionable conduct” including cybersecurity attacks, human rights abuse, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction among others.
