[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E411]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




H.R. 479, THE NORTH KOREA STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM DESIGNATION ACT OF 
                                  2017

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2017

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, North Korea spent 20 years on the 
State Sponsor of Terrorism list for acts of international terrorism and 
its dangerous proliferation activities. But in 2008, North Korea was 
taken off the state sponsors of terrorism list in exchange for its 
commitment to dismantle its nuclear program.
   Nine years later, we've lived up to our end of the bargain while 
North Korea has carried out four nuclear tests. Not only that--but 
little Kim has escalated his support for international terrorism.
   In 2009 alone, three North Korean arms shipments bound for terrorist 
groups were interdicted. North Korean experts have advised both 
Hezbollah and Hamas in the construction of their terrorist tunnel 
networks.
   North Korea has directly menaced the U.S. using new-age digital 
terrorism, launching cyber-attacks against U.S. government agencies and 
Sony Pictures.
   Last month Kim Jon-un's half-brother was brutally assassinated in 
Malaysia by suspected North Korean operatives using the chemical weapon 
VX nerve agent.
   North Korea's actions have only grown more flagrant since being 
removed from the terrorism list. Kim's actions threaten our 
infrastructure, our economy, and ultimately our national security.
   That's why I introduced H.R. 479 The North Korea State Sponsor of 
Terrorism Designation Act. My bill requires the Secretary of State to 
determine whether or not North Korea meets the criteria for a State 
Sponsor of Terrorism. It also expresses the sense of Congress that 
North Korea likely meets the criteria for designation as an SST. North 
Korea is a State Sponsor of terrorism.
   And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________