Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2622

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-05-23T13:34:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act aims to deter and punish North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine by authorizing targeted economic and immigration sanctions on individuals, entities, and financial institutions facilitating arms transfers, material support, or related activities. It builds on existing U.S. and international efforts to isolate nations aiding Russia's aggression.

Key Provisions

• Sanctions Targets: The President must impose sanctions on:
• Foreign persons (individuals or entities outside the U.S.) who facilitate the transfer or sale of arms or material support from North Korea to Russia for use in Ukraine.
• Foreign persons who knowingly import, export, or re-export goods, services, or technology to/from North Korea intended for weapons usable by Russian forces or their proxies in Ukraine.
• Foreign financial institutions that knowingly enable significant transactions or provide major financial services to the above persons.
• Foreign persons engaging in significant transactions with sanctioned persons or institutions.
• Foreign persons assisting with the logistics of moving North Korean arms or support to Russia.
• Types of Sanctions:
• Property Blocking: Freezes and prohibits transactions involving the target's property or interests in the U.S., or under U.S. control (authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which allows the President broad economic powers during national emergencies).
• Visa and Immigration Restrictions: Bars targeted aliens (non-U.S. citizens) from entering the U.S., revokes existing visas, and cancels related entry documents; enforced by the Departments of State and Homeland Security.
• Implementation and Enforcement:
• Uses IEEPA authorities for enforcement, with civil and criminal penalties (fines up to $1 million or imprisonment up to 20 years) for violations.
• Waivers available if the President certifies to Congress that they are vital to U.S. national security (with 15 days' notice).
• Exceptions for internationally recognized humanitarian organizations providing aid, as long as it follows waiver guidelines.
• Reporting Requirements: The President must submit reports to Congress (initially within 90 days of enactment, then every 180 days) detailing:
• Identities and nationalities of sanctioned persons and institutions.
• Descriptions of their conduct.
• Assessments of foreign governments' support for North Korea's activities.
• A U.S. strategy to counter North Korea's support, including diplomatic efforts with other nations.
• Reports are unclassified but may include a classified annex.
• Definitions: Key terms include "appropriate congressional committees" (House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees), "foreign financial institution" (non-U.S. banks, including central banks), and "material support" (tangible aid like weapons or funds, as defined in U.S. criminal law under 18 U.S.C. § 2339A).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 by adding "halting material support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine" as a core U.S. policy goal and a prohibited activity. This expands the scope of existing North Korea sanctions to explicitly address its role in the Ukraine conflict, linking it to broader anti-Russia measures without creating entirely new frameworks.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Departments of Treasury (sanctions enforcement), State (visa revocations and diplomacy), Homeland Security (immigration), and the Executive Office in implementing sanctions, waivers, and reports; requires coordination with Congress for oversight.
• On Citizens: Minimal direct impact on U.S. citizens, but could indirectly affect those in international trade or finance by restricting dealings with sanctioned entities; enhances national security by curbing foreign threats.
• On International Relations: Strengthens U.S. alliances (e.g., with Ukraine and NATO) by enforcing UN Security Council resolutions (which Russia once supported) against North Korean arms exports; may strain relations with Russia and North Korea, while pressuring other nations to halt support for these regimes; could encourage multilateral sanctions if the U.S. strategy in reports gains international buy-in.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• North Korean Government and Entities: Directly targeted for arms production, transfers, and evasion networks, potentially limiting their revenue and military advancements.
• Russian Government and Proxies: Indirectly hit by disrupting supply lines for weapons and materiel in Ukraine.
• Foreign Persons and Financial Institutions: Banks, companies, and individuals worldwide involved in transactions face asset freezes, visa bans, and penalties, deterring business with North Korea.
• U.S. Government and Congress: Gains new tools for enforcement and reporting, with bipartisan sponsors (e.g., Reps. Connolly and Wilson) signaling unified policy.
• Humanitarian Organizations: Protected from sanctions when providing aid, ensuring continued operations in affected regions.
• Allied Nations and Ukraine: Benefit from reduced Russian capabilities, potentially aiding Ukraine's defense.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Relies on established IEEPA authorities (constitutional under presidential emergency powers) and immigration laws (8 U.S.C.), ensuring enforceability without new constitutional challenges; penalties mirror existing sanctions regimes, promoting consistency. The humanitarian exception aligns with international law obligations to avoid impeding aid.
• Constitutional: Balances executive discretion (waivers and implementation) with congressional oversight (reports and certifications), upholding separation of powers.
• Political: Signals U.S. commitment to countering an "axis" of adversaries (Russia-North Korea), potentially boosting deterrence against further aggression; as an introduced bill (April 3, 2025, 119th Congress), its passage could unify bipartisan support on foreign policy but faces hurdles in a divided Congress or amid broader geopolitical tensions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]

Cosponsors (13)

Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-03: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Ways and Means, Financial Services, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Russia-North Korea Cooperation Sanctions Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (10 pages)