Civilians in North Korea are at risk of infection by COVID-19 or suffering due to the economic difficulties of extended quarantine. Nongovernmental organizations providing life-saving humanitarian assistance face significant barriers to meeting these needs and addressing the devastating potential for COVID-19’s spread within the country. While official reports from North Korea claim there are no cases of COVID-19, given that 100,000 cases have been confirmed in China and South Korea combined, North Korea’s proximity to these two countries leaves it extremely vulnerable to an outbreak. For one example, around 100 North Korean troops near Chinese borders died since February, and this may be related to COVID-19.
Underlying vulnerabilities make this potential outbreak even more dangerous. Prior to the country closing its borders to stymie the pandemic, the United Nations indicated that roughly 10.1 million people in North Korea are in urgent need of food assistance. Additionally, 10.4 million are in need of nutritional support and better access to health care, clean water, and the sanitation and hygiene facilities necessary to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. It is urgent that the U.S. remove additional barriers to humanitarian aid so that nongovernmental organizations can respond with speed and flexibility not only to a potential pandemic in North Korea but also to the underlying needs exacerbated by this crisis.
While sanctions are not intended to interfere with the delivery of humanitarian assistance, in practice sanctions regularly delay the delivery of critical and time-sensitive aid. Even small delays can be the difference between life and death for tuberculosis patients dependent on strict drug regimens or farmers in need of agricultural assistance for seasonal activities such as planting and harvesting staple crops.
The Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act intends to expedite the delivery of life-saving aid by NGOs to the people of North Korea. As the coronavirus crisis heightened the urgency of addressing longstanding barriers that complicate humanitarian work in the country, this legislation will institute key changes in sanctions implementation at the Treasury Department, the State Department, and the UN’s North Korea sanctions committee. The bill addresses many of the most pressing challenges for nongovernmental humanitarian agencies and clarifies existing sanctions exemptions for these organizations. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Representative Andy Levin (D, MI-09) announced the introduction of the bill on April 23, 2020. Senator Markey also serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
Specifically, the bill
- Requires the Treasury Department to, for instance, expand its narrow humanitarian sanctions exception to cover goods that support humanitarian projects, beyond just food and medicine;
- Requires the Treasury Department to report regularly on humanitarian license requests to encourage timely responses;
- Requires the Treasury Department to issue plainly worded guidance to ensure that not only banks but also shippers, suppliers, and others involved in aid understand how to make use of humanitarian exemptions;
- Requires the administration to use U.S. influence at the UN to push for changes that expedite humanitarian exemptions and ease application burdens for nongovernmental organizations; and
- Requires the State Department to brief Congress on actions that could simplify travel authorizations for legitimate humanitarian work in North Korea.
KAGC has been working with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) on this issue since 2019. KAGC endorsed this bill and co-signed on the letter sent to the House leadership, requesting support for the bill by including it in the next legislative relief package related to the pandemic.
The Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act (H.R. 7218 & S. 3908)
- Was introduced in the Senate on June 8th by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, And International Cybersecurity Policy of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- In the Senate, the bill has two co-sponsors, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT).
- Was introduced in the House on June 15th by Rep. Andy Levin (D, MI-9).
- In the House, the bill has three co-sponsors, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D, MA-7), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D, MN-5), and Rep. Jason Crow (D, CO-6).
Bill Text: Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act