North Korea will remain ineligible for US development assistance in fiscal 2027 due to legal restrictions, the Voice of America said Thursday citing a US government report.
Voice of America said, citing a candidate country report by the Millennium Challenge Corporation, or MCC, set to be published in the Federal Register, that North Korea was among countries legally prohibited from receiving US economic assistance for fiscal 2027.
A total of 13 countries, including North Korea, Iran and Afghanistan, were placed in the category of countries that would otherwise be considered candidates for MCC assistance but are barred from receiving such aid under US law.
North Korea has consistently been deemed ineligible for assistance due to a range of legal restrictions imposed under US law.
Among the restrictions cited by the MCC is North Korea's designation under US legislation concerning human trafficking. The US State Department has consistently placed North Korea in Tier 3, its lowest ranking, in its annual Trafficking in Persons Report.
Established by the US Congress in 2004, the MCC is an independent US government agency that provides grants to eligible developing countries with the aim of promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.
The decision comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled his desire to reengage with Kim, raising expectations that the two leaders could return to summit diplomacy despite continued US restrictions on North Korea.
Trump has made a series of overtures to Kim in recent months, while speculation has grown that he could seek a meeting with the North Korean leader around the Nov. 3 US midterm elections.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service said earlier this week that a Trump-Kim summit could take place “at any time” this year, although no specific contact between Washington and Pyongyang has been confirmed.
mkjung@heraldcorp.com
