Portman Praises Senate Passage of NDAA Sanctions Against North Korea

Press Release

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) praised the Senate passage of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes the Otto Warmbier Banking Restrictions Involving North Korea (BRINK) Act to strengthen and expand mandatory sanctions on foreign banks and companies that facilitate illicit financial transactions for North Korea. This will hold North Korea accountable for their actions and human rights abuses against Cincinnati-native Otto Warmbier as well as other illegally held prisoners. Portman traveled to the demilitarized zone between South Korea and North Korea earlier this year and invoked the memory of Otto Warmbier on several occasions, including in the demilitarized zone, with South Korean government officials, and with a North Korean defector, with whom he met to discuss North Korean human rights abuses. Portman is a cosponsor of the Otto Warmbier BRINK Act along with Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Portman discussed the legislation at a press conference earlier today.

"I believe our sanctions will hold North Korea accountable for their actions and human rights abuses against Cincinnati-native Otto Warmbier as well as others they've illegally held captive. I'm glad these sanctions were included in the Senate-passed NDAA today as we continue to address the threat that North Korea poses. During this process I thought constantly of Otto Warmbier and his family. Otto has been at the front of my mind and we must never forget him."