Press Releases

– Today, Representatives Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Korea and members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act, bipartisan legislation to expand sanctions on any activity related to an agreement between North Korea and Russia to provide material support for Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. Connolly and Wilson previously introduced the legislation in the 118th Congress.

"Kim Jong Un's material support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine marks a dangerous partnership between two malign actors that threaten global peace and security,” said Connolly. “We cannot allow this unholy alliance to go unchecked. It’s time for the United States to take decisive action and thwart North Korean arms from being used in Putin’s bloody war against the Ukrainian people. Our legislation will work to dismantle networks that allow North Korea and Russia to work collaboratively in spreading their malign influence.”

“Dictator Kim Jong Un sends weapons and troops in support of war criminal Putin. Such coordination is unprecedented and represents the highest level of support. It could not be more clear that the terrorist states of the world are working together, invading sovereign countries with the goal of conquest through mass murder. We must connect the dots and respond accordingly to this new Axis of Evil,” said Wilson.

The Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act directs the President to impose sanctions on:

Any foreign person that is responsible for or facilitates the transfer or sale of arms or material support from North Korea to be used in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Any foreign person that knowingly, directly or indirectly, imports, exports, or reexports to, into, or from North Korea any goods, services or technology for weapons that may be used by Russian forces or their proxies in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for a foreign person that engages in the actions described above. Any foreign person that engages in a significant transaction related to the transfer or sale of arms or material support with a foreign person or foreign financial institution that engages in the actions described above. Any foreign person assisting in the logistical supply and movement of North Korean arms or material support to be used in Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

In addition to Connolly and Wilson, the Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act is cosponsored by the following Members of Congress: Dan Goldman, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Mike Turner, Bill Keating, Dina Titus, Linda Sanchez, Gabe Amo, Amata Coleman Radewagen, Mike Quigley, and Josh Gottheimer.

Full text of the legislation is available here.