U.S. Senate OKs Sanctions on North

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a North Korean non-proliferation bill which can sanction corporations and individuals who trade goods and technology related to WMD, missiles and nuclear with the communist country on July 25.

The bill, presented by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist on July 14 right after North Korea launched missiles, is drawing attention in that it is the first U.S. follow-up legislation since the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to sanction North Korea.

Another similar bill which is pending in the House of Representatives is scheduled to be passed, and the bill is expected to be signed by President Bush after the House of Representatives and the Senate discuss it and it is expected to come into effect as early as next week.

The non-proliferation law was originally made for Iran in 2000. Last year, Syria was added to the law, and now, North Korea will be.

The legislation empowers the U.S. President to sanction transfers of WMD-related goods, service and technology such as missiles and nuclear weapons to North Korea and foreign corporations and individuals which bought them from North Korea.

Individuals or corporations which get caught trading WMD-related goods with North Korea will be prohibited from trading with the U.S. government and will be denied export permission by the U.S.. Furthermore, that could lead to freezing of assets within the U.S. and prohibiting of U.S. capital from obtaining stocks of relevant companies and investment.

In fact, the U.S. sanctioned eight large Chinese companies that traded missiles with Iran early last year, according to the non-proliferation law.

A diplomatic source said, “If the bill takes effect, Pyongyang will have significant restraints in doing business related to missiles and weapons. Pyongyang has maintained its system even while isolated, so it can absorb a moderate degree of impact. However, the pressure that concrete measures will be taken under the UN resolution will be huge.”

Senate Majority Leader Frist said after the passage of the bill, “North Korea’s missile launches showed that the North Korean regime could be a threat to U.S. citizens, and peace and security in East Asia. We should do everything in our power to stop Kim Jong Il from obtaining additional materials that could lead to the development of weapons and missile programs. If the legislation takes effect, Mr. Bush will have upper hand in achieving such a goal.”

The fact that the bill was passed unanimously in ten days since it was introduced before the Senate is translated to have reflected a voice of the U.S. congress and government that sanctions and pressure against North Korea should be strengthened.

Gee-Hong Lee Seung-Ryun Kim sechepa@donga.com srkim@donga.com