North Korea Nonproliferation Act Signed into Law
Legislation to check Pyongyang's WMD efforts becomes law in week of North Korea nuclear test
Washington,
Oct 17 -
President Bush has signed into law the North Korea Nonproliferation Act, legislation carried in the House by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-40), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism and Nonproliferation.
“It is critical that we work to deny North Korea additional materials and technology that could advance its weapons and missile programs. This legislation – which adds North Korea to the list of countries currently covered by the Iran and Syria Nonproliferation Act – does just that,” commented Royce after the President signed the bill into law.
Under the legislation, the President would be authorized to impose sanctions on any foreign person – mostly foreign companies - believed to have transferred to North Korea goods, services, or technologies that could contribute to North Korea’s ability to produce missiles, nuclear weapons, and other weapons of mass destruction. These sanctions include:
• A procurement ban, under which the United States government would cease to procure or enter into any contract with that foreign entity;
• An arms export prohibition, which would prohibit the selling to that foreign person any item on the United States Munitions List, and any defense articles or defenses services under the Arms Export Control Act; and;
• A dual-use export prohibition, under which that foreign entity would be denied licenses or have existing licenses suspended for the transfer of items the export of which is controlled under the Export Administration Act of 1979 or the Export Administration Regulations.
“North Korea’s nuclear test dramatically showed that its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons and long range ballistic missiles presents a direct threat to the United States and our allies in Northeast Asia. All elements of our national power must be brought to bear against this despicable regime,” said Royce.
The legislation was introduced shortly after North Korea’s July 4th missile tests. Since 2000, Rep. Royce has served as the Chairman of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Interparliamentary Exchange.
