House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) has recently introduced H.R. 1644, the Korean Interdiction and Modernization of Sanctions Act. NCNK's summary of the legislation, as amended, is available here.

The bill would significantly expand the scope of the U.S. sanctions regime, allowing the Executive Branch to impose discretionary secondary sanctions targeting North Korea's commercial activities. The bill would also expand on provisions introduced by last year's North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, broadening the scope of mandatory sanctions and adding new provisions on shipping and financial sanctions.

The legislation has already been approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Other House committees may weigh in before the bill goes to the House floor. No parallel legislation has been introduced to the Senate at this time.

Additionally, two other North Korea-related bills -- a bill that would require the Secretary of State to make a determination on whether North Korea should be re-listed as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and a resolution condemning North Korean missile development -- recently passed the House. The State Sponsor of Terrorism bill now awaits action in the Senate, where Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has introduced parallel legislation.