U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon said Tuesday that economic sanctions by Washington on North Korea could push Pyongyang toward war.

Referring to U.S. policies, the Pennsylvania Republican told reporters in Tokyo, "I am against economic sanctions at this time because I'm concerned that it would drive (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il to do things that might precipitate a stupid act."

Weldon led a bipartisan delegation to North Korea last week.