Russia shuts down UN tracking of N Korea sanctions
By Frances Mao
Russia has shut down a panel of UN experts that have for years monitored sanctions against North Korea.
The panel last week said it was probing reports that Russia violated rules by buying North Korean weapons like ballistic missiles for use in Ukraine.
The UN’s Security Council has imposed a series of sanctions on Pyongyang since 2006 for its nuclear weapons programme.
Those restrictions are still in force – but the experts group set up to monitor violations will now be disbanded.
In a Security Council vote on Thursday, Russia used its veto power as a permanent member to block the renewal, while 13 of the other 14 member states present voted for it. China, Pyongyang’s closest ally, abstained.
Russia’s block triggered a wave of condemnation from the US, UK, South Korea and other Western allies and comes after a year of high-profile public meetings between Moscow and Pyongyang leaders.
This is the first time Russia has blocked the panel – which has been renewed annually by the UN Security Council for 14 years.
