FOREIGN POLICY & IMMIGRATION »» EMBARGOS & SANCTIONS »» NORTH KOREA SANCTIONS »» Aug 21, 2023

In violation of signed agreements, North Korea is operating a nuclear reactor to produce weapons-grade plutonium. It is believed this rogue nation has enough plutonium and enriched uranium to produce 45 to 55 nuclear weapons and has already assembled 20 to 30 warheads - with the ability to manufacture 6-7 more each year. As of 2023, it had carried out nearly 200 intermediate-range missile launches and unsuccessfully launched a satellite. Our military believes North Korea has the ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads for missile use. It says Alaska, Hawaii and our West Coast are already within range of these weapons. Pyongyang blames its standoff with the West on the "hostile stance" taken by the United States. Some say North Korea believes our pre-emptive war with Iraq proves its own security can only be ensured with a nuclear deterrent force. It has withdrawn from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, voided the Korean War armistice treaty and threatened nuclear war if its facilities are attacked. China, North Korea’s long-standing ally, has provided it with crucial aid and diplomatic protection for many decades and is regarded as the only nation that can influence its behavior. However, our intelligence community believes that China is helping North Korea develop nuclear weapons, missile technology and evading Western sanctions. China's economic assistance to North Korea accounts for about half of all Chinese foreign aid. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of S.667 - Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea Act of 2019 Prospective Sponsor: Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) I oppose reforming current North Korea sanctions policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader Charles Schumer (NY). I support mandatory sanctions on foreign banks and other businesses that deal with North Korea including Chinese financial institutions for facilitating illicit purchases of North Korean goods, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Winning Option »» No issues were voted

I support mandatory sanctions on foreign banks and other businesses that deal with North Korea including Chinese financial institutions for facilitating illicit purchases of North Korean goods, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Senator If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (MD) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider either reintroducing S.667 - Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea Act of 2019, or a similar version thereof. The Heritage Foundation If elected as a trustee, The Heritage Foundation will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to work and advocate for enacting stricter sanctions against North Korea to compel it to abandon its nuclear weapons program. The mission of The Heritage Foundation is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. It believes the SEC needs to do more to provide better data to Commissioners, other policymakers, and the public; that its enforcement efforts directed at fraud and other malfeasance by managers of large financial institutions are inadequate; and that reforms are necessary so that the SEC can better perform its important function.

Elected Trustee

No trustee votes received.

Trustee Evaluation

-Pending-

Trustee Suggestions