Allegations of North Korean drug production, trafficking, and crime-for-profit activity have become the focus of rising attention in the U.S. Congress, the press, and diplomatic and public policy forums. Press reports claim that North Korea’s opium production in 1995 was 40 metric tons, clearly representing a figure of over 1,000 hectares, the threshold crop land figure for designation as a major drug-producing country. The provisions of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 require that countries cultivating 1,000 hectares or more of illicit opium poppy be subject to annual drug reporting and certification procedures, and that certain aid be withheld and discretionary trade sanctions be imposed, absent special conditions identified by the President. The challenge to policymakers is how to pursue sound counter-drug policy and comply with U.S. law, which may require cutting off aid to North Korea, while effectively pursuing other high-priority U.S. foreign policy objectives. Notes