Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today introduced H.R. 2231, which establishes a Joint Commission on North Korea, and would include government officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea, among others in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region, as a diplomatic effort to stop North Korea’s hostile actions.

“Preventing a nuclear-armed North Korea must be a top priority for the United States and our regional partners,” DelBene said. “Recent actions have made it clear North Korea is already violating numerous U.N. resolutions as it continues to explore further provocative, destabilizing military action. Strengthening high-level dialogues on North Korean nuclear proliferation between the United States, regional partners and the United Nations would bring much needed stability for the Pacific Region and the world.”

News reports suggest North Korea is increasing investments in research and construction of ballistic missiles and nuclear capabilities. North Korea has also done several recent missile tests.

Reps. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Scott Peters (CA-52) joined DelBene in introducing the measure. DelBene’s bill would:

• Express the sense of Congress that the United States should expand partnerships in the region, particularly with Japan, and South Korea, to serve as a focal point for regional cooperation regarding North Korea;
• Establish a Joint Commission on North Korea including U.S. government officials and countries in the Indo-Asian Pacific region;
• Reaffirm longstanding U.S. policy by expressing the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should conduct comprehensive regional and global diplomacy, in close coordination with United States allies in the Indo-Asia Pacific Region, to coordinate responses to North Korean provocations and enhance enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

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