WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the 2015 North Korea Sanctions Act, issued the below statement following claims that North Korea detonated its first hydrogen bomb:

“North Korea’s nuclear detonation claims are a grave provocation and threat to international peace and security, and must be met with firm action and a clear effort to halt Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

“I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass my legislation to tighten sanctions since it’s obvious the sanctions we have in place are all-too-often ignored and North Korea continues to get away with bad behavior. In addition to congressional action, I also call on the United Nations Security Council to impose, and to vigorously enforce, additional sanctions.

“Developments in North Korea – including its nuclear and missile tests, its human rights record, its illegal arms trade with Cuba, the cyber hack of Sony in 2013 – highlight the continuing threat that North Korea poses to the United States, our allies and friends in the region, as well as the increasing dangers of severe instability on the Korean Peninsula.

“North Korea will find neither security nor acceptance until it ceases its provocative behavior, ends its nuclear-weapons program, and no longer engages in activities that threaten American interests, those of our allies and partners, or global peace and stability.”

Menendez’ 2015 North Korea Sanctions Act would strengthen and expand sanctions against the regime in North Korea and those who might wish to assist them. The legislation expands the ability of the Administration to sanction property and seize funds of the people or organizations that provide support to the regime, expands the ability of the Administration to sanction support for cyber-attacks or cyber vandalism, and enhances the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide life-saving assistance to reduce the suffering of the North Korean people.

Menendez previously authored and successfully advanced the bipartisan North Korea Non-proliferation and Accountability Act, which passed the Senate in February 2013, and he continually works toward ending North Korea’s nuclear programs.

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