[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 84 (Monday, June 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6242-S6243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NORTH KOREA

  Mr. DeMINT. Madam President, all of us know the United States is 
facing many challenges at home and abroad today. We are in the middle 
of an economic crisis. Many Americans are losing their jobs. We are 
also being tested by our enemies and potential enemies all around the 
world. We have certainly seen Iran continue its nuclear weapons 
program. It snubbed its nose at the international community as the 
international community asked it to halt.
  Recently, perhaps the most alarming threat to our security has come 
from North Korea. We have seen them fire test missiles over the last 
year, actually test a very powerful nuclear weapon, and now they are 
telling us they are going to test a rocket that is capable of reaching 
our shores. In the middle of this, they kidnapped two Americans and 
sentenced them to, I think, 12 years in a labor camp.
  Throughout all this, America has talked tough, but I am afraid North 
Korea believes we are all talk.
  The problem with our position with North Korea at this point is there 
are other rogue nations looking at what is happening and seeing that 
they can basically ignore the United States and the international 
community and continue to be a growing threat to all of us.
  It is very important that the United States not reward this behavior 
as we have done for North Korea. The Democratic People's Republic of 
Korea was added to the State Department's ``State Sponsors of 
Terrorism'' list in 1988 for activities ranging from the protection of 
Japanese terrorists to its role in the bombing of a Korean airliner. 
Since that time, North Korea has remained, as a matter of documented 
fact, a sponsor of terrorism.
  Last June, President Bush announced his intention to remove North 
Korea from the list. At no time before or since has anyone said that 
North Korea ceased to be a state sponsor of terror. The delisting of 
North Korea was a carrot waved in front of Kim Jong Il as part of a 
well-meaning but extremely dangerous attempt to deal diplomatically 
with the urgent problem of North Korea's illegal nuclear programs. 
Secretary of State Clinton acknowledges that North Korea was delisted 
only in exchange for North Korea's commitment to abandon its nuclear 
weapons program and submit to outside verification.
  Since then, I think as most of us know, North Korea has gone further 
in its campaign of militant destabilization of the world than ever 
before. It has detonated a large nuclear bomb. It has launched missiles 
capable of hitting our allies. It has withdrawn from the six-party 
talks. It has reprocessed spent fuel rods. It has withdrawn from the 
United Nation's treaty that ended

[[Page S6243]]

the Korean war over 50 years ago. It has announced its intention to 
launch a ballistic missile capable of hitting the Western United 
States.
  In response to these threats, I and seven of my colleagues wrote 
Secretary Clinton asking that she relist North Korea as a state sponsor 
of terrorism. In addition, Senator Brownback and I authored amendments 
that have been endorsed by 15 Senators directing Secretary Clinton to 
redesignate North Korea. The response thus far has fallen short. 
Secretary Clinton says relisting is being considered but as part of an 
ongoing diplomatic process. President Obama has offered strong words, 
but we have yet to see action.
  North Korea has proven that it is immune to talk, whether that talk 
be sweet or tough. The President gave a speech last week saying that 
good relationships require speaking ``clearly and . . . plainly'' about 
international controversies. Relisting North Korea will speak clearly 
and plainly about the true nature of North Korea's regime. It will send 
a strong signal to our allies in the Pacific.
  It is now clear that President Bush's diplomatic gamble, which many 
opposed last year, has failed. North Korea has exploited its newfound 
flexibility and respectability and used it to threaten Asia and the 
United States. They have tapped unfrozen assets to fund their mischief, 
and they remain a supplier to both Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Iranian 
Revolutionary Guard.
  Secretary Clinton's statement over the weekend that she wants ``to 
see recent evidence of [North Korea's] support for international 
terrorism'' misses the point. North Korea was not delisted because it 
ceased assisting in sponsoring terror. If a convicted arsonist is 
released on parole, he does not have to burn down a house to go back to 
prison. Any crime will do. That is where we are with North Korea today. 
They are not operating in the spirit or letter of their agreements, and 
without a shred of good faith. They have not reformed and cannot be 
trusted. They are a state sponsor of terror and should be recognized 
for it.
  Once relisted, North Korea will suffer consequences for its 
aggressive provocations. There will be trade restrictions, there will 
be sanctions and the refreezing of assets to limit North Korea's 
ability to fund its weapons program. Relisting North Korea as a state 
sponsor of terrorism will let them and the world know that the United 
States is serious--something this administration has yet to do.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ENZI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the time in 
the quorum call be equally divided between the two sides.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. ENZI. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DODD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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