South Korea and the U.S. consider imposing independent sanctions on individuals and companies involved in smuggling refined oil to North Korea

2024-03-27 01:16:03

Strengthened blocking task force launched… Focused discussion on responding to North Korean refined oil smuggling
Russia is concerned about the possibility of providing refined oil to North Korea… Urge implementation of resolution

ⓒNewsis

South Korea and the United States launched a working-level consultative body to respond to North Korea’s smuggling of refined oil and decided to consider designating independent sanctions on individuals and companies involved in smuggling refined oil into North Korea.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 27th, the first ROK-US ‘Enhanced Disruption Task Force’ meeting was held in Washington, DC, USA on the 26th (local time).

The strengthened blocking task force was established to more effectively block key resources and funding sources needed for North Korea’s nuclear and missile development.

At the first meeting, about 30 officials from relevant ministries and agencies in charge of diplomacy, intelligence, sanctions, and maritime interdiction between Korea and the United States attended.

On the South Korean side, Lee Joon-il, head of the North Korean Nuclear Diplomatic Planning Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and on the U.S. side, Acting State Department Special Representative for North Korea Lynn Daveybois participated as chief representatives.

The two sides evaluated the status of implementation of UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea and discussed intensively the status of North Korea’s import of refined oil that exceeded the oil import limit set by the Security Council resolution and cooperative measures to block it.

Oil is an essential resource for North Korea’s nuclear and missile development and military posture, and the international community limited North Korea’s oil imports to 4 million barrels of crude oil and 500,000 barrels of refined oil through UN Security Council Resolution 2397 in 2017. However, the annual report of the Security Council’s Expert Panel on North Korea Sanctions presented a figure showing that the refined oil imported into North Korea from January to September 15 last year could amount to approximately 1,523,381 barrels.

Both sides believed that, as pointed out in numerous public reports, a significant portion of the refined oil being smuggled by North Korea was being made through illegal cooperation with companies and individuals located in the region.

Both sides agreed to actively consider designating independent sanctions against individuals and companies involved in smuggling refined oil to North Korea as part of their efforts to eradicate North Korea’s illegal activities. To raise awareness, various measures such as industry guidance will be strengthened.

The two sides also expressed concern over the possibility that Russia, with which they have a close relationship, may provide refined oil to North Korea, and discussed ways to stop illegal cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Both sides strongly urged Russia to thoroughly implement Security Council resolutions, as it has stated on its own.

The two sides decided to hold a second meeting in Seoul within the year. At the second meeting, various measures will be discussed to strengthen cooperation in blocking refined oil smuggling to North Korea and to more effectively prevent North Korea’s illegal financing, such as coal smuggling, from being procured.

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2024-03-27 01:16:03