Bill > S690

This bill aims to expedite the provision of humanitarian assistance, including life-saving medical care, to the people of North Korea. The key provisions include: 1. Modifying the humanitarian exception under the North Korea Sanctions Regulations to cover more goods and items that support humanitarian projects to meet basic human needs in North Korea without requiring a specific license. 2. Directing the U.S. government to urge the United Nations to extend the period for humanitarian exemptions from the 1718 Sanctions Committee, speed up the approval of such exemptions, and make the application process less burdensome for non-governmental organizations. 3. Requiring the Secretary of State to streamline the process for individuals employed by humanitarian organizations to obtain special travel permits to North Korea, including issuing "multi-entry special validation passports" to reduce costs and delays. The overall goal is to facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to the people of North Korea, who are facing severe humanitarian challenges, including food insecurity, public health infrastructure deficiencies, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/690/all-info