The United Nations’ monitoring of sanctions against North Korea, which had been ongoing for 14 years, came to an abrupt end on Thursday due to Russia's veto. This action dissolved a U.N. body responsible for closely monitoring Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
This veto by Russia was unprecedented, as it had previously been a routine annual vote to extend the panel’s mandate. The move highlighted a growing divide between Russia and the United States, along with its Western allies, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There are also allegations from U.S. officials that North Korea has been transferring weapons to Russia for its war efforts, which both countries deny.
Hugh Griffiths, former coordinator of the panel, described Russia's veto as a transition from an international spoiler to an outlaw state in terms of nuclear nonproliferation and ballistic missile enforcement norms. This move, according to Griffiths, signals that U.N.-prohibited North Korean nuclear weapons programs are now somehow acceptable.
Established in 2009, the panel of independent experts monitored the enforcement of U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea since 2006. It reported twice a year to the U.N. Security Council on the effectiveness of those sanctions and details of North Korea’s illicit activities, including cyber and weapons proliferation, and oil smuggling.
The panel’s mandate is set to expire on April 30. While the panel lacks enforcement authority, it has been crucial as an investigatory body and a clearinghouse for information on North Korean activities that violate international prohibitions. The veto does not impact the existing U.N. sanctions on North Korea, which remain in effect.
The latest report from the panel accused Pyongyang of engaging in cyberattacks that generated approximately $3 billion for its weapons programs. Hwang Joon-kook, the South Korean ambassador to the United Nations, likened this to destroying a surveillance camera to avoid being caught red-handed.
In recent years, the U.N. Security Council has been divided in its enforcement of sanctions on North Korea. China, North Korea’s primary economic lifeline, and Russia have questioned the effectiveness of the council’s measures aimed at curbing Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. Many observers had anticipated Russia's move to end the panel’s mandate.
Despite the dissolution of the panel, member states can still report violations to the Security Council, as the U.N. sanctions on North Korea remain in effect. Griffiths highlighted that the panel's independent assessment of companies and individuals violating financial sanctions on North Korea was crucial. This information was used by banks and insurance companies to freeze assets of those aiding North Korea in violating international sanctions.
The impact of this dissolution is significant, as many global financial institutions now lack the robust reports they once relied on to deny proliferation networks access to the global financial system.
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