Trump Administration Weighs Placing North Korea On ‘State Sponsor Of Terrorism’ List
- 7 years ago
The Trump administration is reportedly considering placing North Korea on the list of state sponsors of terror.
North Korea could soon be placed back on the list of countries designated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism.
National security adviser H.R. McMaster said during a White House press briefing Thursday, "That is an option that is under consideration. And so the president's cabinet is looking at this as part of the overall strategy on North Korea."
"You will hear more about that soon, I think," he added.
According to the State Department's website, "To designate a country as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the Secretary of State must determine that the government of such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism."
North Korea had been on the list and subject to the additional sanctions that go along with it, but the regime was removed in 2008 under diplomatic efforts by the George W. Bush administration, according to The Hill.
However, last month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers recommended that current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson re-instate the status, citing "the totality of North Korea's actions – including detainment, detention and treatment of American citizens and continued illicit relationships with unfriendly nations."
McMaster's remarks were prompted, in part, by the president's forthcoming visit to Asia.
"President Trump will reiterate the plain fact that North Korea threatens not just our allies--South Korea and Japan--and the United States. North Korea is a threat to the entire world," McMaster told reporters.
North Korea could soon be placed back on the list of countries designated by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism.
National security adviser H.R. McMaster said during a White House press briefing Thursday, "That is an option that is under consideration. And so the president's cabinet is looking at this as part of the overall strategy on North Korea."
"You will hear more about that soon, I think," he added.
According to the State Department's website, "To designate a country as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the Secretary of State must determine that the government of such country has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism."
North Korea had been on the list and subject to the additional sanctions that go along with it, but the regime was removed in 2008 under diplomatic efforts by the George W. Bush administration, according to The Hill.
However, last month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers recommended that current Secretary of State Rex Tillerson re-instate the status, citing "the totality of North Korea's actions – including detainment, detention and treatment of American citizens and continued illicit relationships with unfriendly nations."
McMaster's remarks were prompted, in part, by the president's forthcoming visit to Asia.
"President Trump will reiterate the plain fact that North Korea threatens not just our allies--South Korea and Japan--and the United States. North Korea is a threat to the entire world," McMaster told reporters.