WASHINGTON-Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the reported rocket test in North Korea.
“North Korea's missile launch has again shown that the country's leaders are intent on playing outside of the norms and rules of the international order. We cannot sit by while the Kim regime threatens the security of our partners and allies in the Asia-Pacific region. The legislation recently passed in the House would pressure North Korea by increasing the enforcement of sanctions.
“I've visited North Korea twice, and I'm convinced that its military ambitions will fail. For the sake of the North Korean people, I hope their leaders abandon their futile and dangerous nuclear-weapons agenda and return to the negotiating table without delay."
Background.
On Jan. 11, the House of Representatives passed the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2016 (H.R. 757), which would broaden sanctions against North Korea and strengthen sanctions enforcement.
