US and Asia allies push for new panel to monitor North Korea sanctions

17/4/2024 14:55

        The U.S., South Korea and Japan are pushing for a new multi-national panel of experts, possibly outside the U.N., to ensure sanctions enforcement against North Korea after Russia and China thwarted monitoring activities at the world body.
        
        The push came after Russia rejected the annual renewal of the U.N. panel of experts that has over the past 15 years monitored the implementation of sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. China abstained from the vote.
        
        The envisioned new panel is aimed at continuing the U.N. entity's work and would be operated by Washington, Seoul and Tokyo and joined by likeminded countries including Australia, New Zealand and some European countries, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to diplomatic sensitivity.
        
        A senior South Korean government official said, "The U.N. panel had faced some difficulties as Chinese and Russian members often tried to water down North Korea's suspected sanctions evasion."