Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act
This bill, titled the Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act, would authorize the President to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on foreign persons, foreign financial institutions, and others that facilitate North Korea’s provision of arms or material support to Russia for its war in Ukraine. It targets activities such as transferring North Korean arms or related materials, exporting goods or technology that could aid weapons used by Russia, and significant financial transactions linked to these activities or to logistics supporting them. The bill also expands existing North Korea sanctions to explicitly include halting material support for Russia’s war. Sanctions include property blocking and visa bans, with a humanitarian exception and a waiver mechanism. The act requires regular, unclassified congressionally reported updates on North Korea’s efforts to support Russia and U.S. strategic responses.
Key Points
- 1Sanctions scope and targets: Foreign persons involved in transferring or facilitating North Korea’s arms or material support to Russia, those exporting or reexporting goods/tech for weapons used by Russian forces, foreign financial institutions facilitating significant transactions, and entities involved in logistics for arms or support.
- 2Sanctions tools: Blocking of property in the United States or under U.S. control; visa/admission and parole bans for designated individuals; and related penalties under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
- 3Humanitarian carve-out: Recognizes that internationally recognized humanitarian organizations should not be sanctioned for humanitarian activities, with specified allowances for humanitarian transactions and operations under waivers.
- 4Expansion of NK sanctions law: Amends the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 to add “halting material support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine” as a sanctionable objective.
- 5Reporting requirement: The President must deliver a report within 90 days of enactment and every 180 days thereafter detailing sanctioned entities, their conduct, assessments of foreign government involvement, and a U.S. strategy to counter North Korea’s support for Russia.
- 6Definitions: Clarifies terms such as “foreign financial institution,” “material support,” and designates the relevant congressional committees to oversee the measures.