North Korea: A Forgotten War, A Growing Threat

Despite the Korean War armistice agreement ending hostilities 71 years ago, tensions persist between North and South Korea. North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, combined with its close ties with Russia, pose a significant threat to regional stability. The United States and its allies must step up pressure on North Korea to deter aggression and maintain peace.

North Korea stands as a grim reminder of the "Forgotten War" that raged for three years on the Korean Peninsula, leaving an enduring scar that divides the region. As a South Korean American, my childhood memories of the war's aftermath are indelibly etched in my mind. The devastation and the sight of U.S. troops distributing candy from their trucks marked a profound contrast between the horrors of war and the promise of a new beginning in the United States, my adopted home.

Today, South Korea has blossomed into a thriving democracy and a vital strategic partner for the United States. However, North Korea, under the successive reigns of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and now Kim Jong Un, has chosen a different path, prioritizing military might over the well-being of its people. The pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles has brought North Korea to the brink of nuclear brinkmanship.

North Korea: A Forgotten War, A Growing Threat

The recent meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin underscores the urgency of coordinated action from the United States and its allies. The details of their defense pact remain shrouded in secrecy, but the symbolism and potential implications are undeniable. North Korea has already played a role in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supplying rockets and artillery shells.

Russia, in turn, has aided North Korea in evading sanctions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Nations has identified North Korea's responsibility for cyberattacks worth billions of dollars. These illicit activities fund the regime's nuclear ambitions and other nefarious activities.

North Korea: A Forgotten War, A Growing Threat

The United States and its allies must close sanctions loopholes and identify entities complicit in North Korean forced labor. The North Korean Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016 mandates periodic reviews and updates to the forced labor list, an essential step in deterring North Korean aggression.

Additionally, the "North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act," which I am leading as a bipartisan effort, aims to support the freedom and basic human rights of North Koreans. Kim Jong Un's oppressive regime engages in torture, imprisonment, starvation, and forced labor, perpetuating a cycle of human suffering.

North Korea: A Forgotten War, A Growing Threat

The United States must recognize the dangerous trajectory of North Korea and take decisive action to deter its aggression. The failure to act now will undermine regional stability and threaten the rules-based international order. We must step up the pressure, promote deterrence, and preserve peace before it is too late.

The story of the Korean Peninsula is a tale of division, devastation, and resilience. South Korea's rise to prominence stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of its people and the transformative power of international cooperation. North Korea, on the other hand, serves as a cautionary tale of a regime that prioritizes its own survival and power at the expense of its people and the region. The United States and its allies must remain vigilant in their efforts to deter North Korean aggression and promote peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea: A Forgotten War, A Growing Threat