Ukraine’s foreign minister calls veto ‘guilty plea’ amid claims Pyongyang is aiding Moscow’s war against Kyiv. The watchdog is responsible for overseeing sanctions against North Korea.
Russia China veto North Korea – What’s going on?
Russia has terminated a United Nations expert panel responsible for overseeing sanctions against North Korea, a group that has operated for several years.
Last week, the panel announced an investigation into allegations that Russia violated regulations by procuring North Korean weaponry, including ballistic missiles, for deployment in Ukraine.
During a Security Council vote on Thursday, Russia used its veto power as a permanent member to prevent the renewal of the panel. Of the 14 member states present, 13 voted in favour of renewal, while China, North Korea’s primary ally, abstained.
Russia’s action elicited strong condemnation from the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, and other Western allies. This move follows a year marked by prominent public meetings between leaders of Moscow and Pyongyang.
🔴#BREAKING
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) March 28, 2024
Russia vetoes a Security Council resolution meant to monitor UN sanctions in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
IN FAVOUR: 13
AGAINST: 1 (Russia)
ABSTAIN: 1 (China) pic.twitter.com/r9W9kNhKAw
Sanctions against North Korea
Since 2006, the UN Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions on Pyongyang in response to its nuclear weapons program. While these sanctions remain in effect, the expert group tasked with monitoring violations will no longer operate.
This marks the first occasion on which Russia has blocked the panel, which had been routinely renewed by the UN Security Council for the past 14 years.
