WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today issued the following statement after Senate passage of the “North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016.”

“While President Obama has misjudged the threats posed by ISIS, Iran and Russia, he flat-out ignored those posed by North Korea. The recent aggressive posturing by North Korea is the direct result of a rogue state feeling emboldened by the misguided approach of the Obama foreign policy doctrine.

This failure of leadership has allowed Kim Jun-un to circumvent international sanctions, build his nation’s arsenal and intensify its cyber-espionage activity—all at the expense of the North Korean people who are tortured and starved by his regime.

The deal the President made with Iran gives that regime cover to continue its illicit nuclear program. In a matter of time, the Iranians will simply follow the same course the North Koreans have to garner even more concessions from the West.

That is why Congress is taking the proactive approach that the Administration should have taken in the first place. The unanimous passage of this bill sends a strong message to the dictators of the world—there is going to be a price to pay if you act out in this recklessly aggressive manner.”

Background: The “North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016” requires the President to mandate for sanctions anyone who can be tied to the following activities in North Korea: arms trade, development of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery, procurement of luxury goods, censorship, money laundering and counterfeiting. 

The sanctions would block all property and property interests on any designated person that are in, or come within, the U.S. or the possession of any U.S. person, among other things. 

Title II would request the President levy, as appropriate, new sanctions related to nuclear proliferation, human rights abuses, illicit activities and significant activities undermining cybersecurity.

The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 96-0. A similar bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in January.