North Korea

North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program remains one of the most vexing deterrence challenges for the U.S. and our allies. The despotic Kim Jong Un regime has used money laundering, overseas labor, cyberattacks, and illegal arms sales to sustain its weapons program all while committing gross human rights violations at home. Renewed diplomacy between the U.S. and North Korea must head off further escalation and reduce nuclear risk on the Korean Peninsula. With more than 28,000 U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula, there is no alternative military solution to this challenge that does not include the high risk of mass casualties, potential use of nuclear weapons, or escalation into regional conflict. We ask Congress to support sustained diplomatic efforts to roll back North Korea’s nuclear program, support confidence building measures, and oppose any new sanctions that would hinder the provision of humanitarian assistance.