This bill would start the process of re-designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism after the country had been removed from the list in 2008 because of promises it made to stop its nuclear weapons program. It notes that North Korea has provided weapons to terror groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, and has harbored members of the Japanese Red Army following attacks they’ve carried out. The bill would call on the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a report that evaluates whether North Korea should be added to the list of state sponsors of terrorism within 90 days of its enactment.
Currently, the State Department lists three countries as state sponsors of terrorism, all of which have been on the list for more than two decades: Iran (1984), Sudan (1993), and Syria (1979). The sanctions imposed as a result of this designation fall into four major categories:
Restrictions on U.S. foreign aid to the country;
A ban on defense exports and sales;
Controls placed on the export of items that can be used for civilian or military purposes;
Miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
International Trade & Affairs
