WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved by voice vote adding North Korea to a law aimed at stemming the nuclear weapons ambitions of Iran and Syria.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist introduced the bill after Pyongyang defied international warnings and tested seven missiles this month, action which Frist described as "dangerous and provocative."
"North Korea's recent missile launches illustrate the threat this regime poses to the American people, the people of the region, and peace and stability in East Asia. We must do everything within our power to prevent Kim Jong-il from obtaining additional materials to advance his weapons and missile program," Frist said.
Under the law, President George W. Bush can impose sanctions on any foreign person believed to have transferred goods, services or technologies that could help those countries build nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.
Sanctions could bar named individuals from doing business with the U.S. government and prohibit the issuance of U.S. export licenses.
Similar legislation is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.
