The USA, South Korea, and Japan have announced the establishment of a new multinational group to monitor the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea. This decision was made after Russia and China blocked the UN’s monitoring activities.
This initiative arose after Russia rejected a proposal to update the composition of UN experts who have been overseeing the enforcement of sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs for over 15 years.
China abstained from voting. According to a representative from South Korea, the new group will take on the responsibilities of UN experts, including preparing regular reports on compliance with sanctions. The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and other states are also involved in the initiative. The official launch of the group was announced at a press conference in Seoul on October 16 by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, along with the vice ministers of foreign affairs from South Korea and Japan, as well as ambassadors from eight countries.
Kim Hong-kyun, the vice foreign minister of South Korea, emphasized the importance of a swift response to sanctions violations. He noted that while allies will continue working on restoring UN monitoring, the new group is open to all countries willing to assist in enforcing sanctions. Campbell indicated that Russia’s veto was likely related to a UN report on North Korea’s supply of military equipment and ammunition for the war in Ukraine. He stated that establishing the new group is a significant step in the right direction.
Despite the potential lack of legitimacy that UN-sponsored operations provide, this initiative will allow for more effective monitoring of North Korea’s actions without the interference of Russia and China, which often downplay suspicions regarding Pyongyang, noted Ethan Hi-sok Shin, a human rights expert. Shin also stressed the necessity of applying sanctions against individuals and companies that facilitate human rights violations in North Korea.
