New York, 29 March 2024 (TDI): Russia vetoed the renewal of sanctions on North Korea in the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.
The Russian move follows accusations from the United States, South Korea, and others that Pyongyang is supplying Moscow with weapons to use in its war in Ukraine.
The panel, which monitors compliance with UN sanctions imposed over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs nearly 20 years ago, said in its most recent update this month that it was investigating reports of the arms transfers.
The sanctions, initially imposed in 2006 in response to North Korea’s nuclear program, remain in place. However, the expiration of the expert panel’s mandate on April 30th raises concerns about the ability to track Pyongyang’s adherence to these critical measures effectively.
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Russia vetoed the renewal of sanctions on North Korea in the UNSC. The vote on the resolution saw 13 members in favor, with Russia casting the sole dissenting vote and China abstaining.
The United States, South Korea, and their allies have accused North Korea of supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, a claim both Pyongyang and Moscow deny.
“This is almost comparable to destroying a CCTV to avoid being caught red-handed,” South Korea’s UN ambassador, Joonkook Hwang, said of Russia’s veto.
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Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, writing on social media after the veto, described the move as “a guilty plea”.
The panel reports twice a year to the Security Council and recommends action to improve the implementation of the sanctions that were first imposed in 2006 and have been gradually strengthened. Its mandate expires at the end of April.
“It is clear to us that the UN Security Council can no longer use old templates in relation to the problems of the Korean Peninsula,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Friday. Russia’s veto was in line with its interests, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
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