Russia closes down UN monitor overseeing North Korea sanctions

Russia has closed down a United Nations expert group responsible for monitoring sanctions against North Korea, following reports of potential violations involving the purchase of North Korean weapons, such as ballistic missiles for Ukraine. 

The Security Council's sanctions on Pyongyang, in place since 2006 because of its nuclear weapons program, remain in effect.

Despite most member states voting for the group's renewal, Russia, utilizing its veto power, blocked the expert panel's continuation.

This move has drawn criticism from several countries, including the U.S., U.K. and South Korea.

Some accuse Russia of attempting to silence the watchdog because of its scrutiny of Moscow's own alleged violations.  

Russia has denied the accusations, claiming that the expert panel's focus was disproportionate to the issues on the Korean peninsula and that the sanctions have negatively impacted North Korean citizens. 

Since 2019, Russia and China have been trying to convince the Security Council to relax sanctions. 

The Security Council initially imposed sanctions in 2006 following a North Korea nuclear test and has subsequently approved 10 additional resolutions to strengthen them in light of Pyongyang's ongoing nuclear activities. 

Despite the adverse economic effects of the sanctions, Kim Jong Un's government has largely disregarded them.

The North Korean leader has aggressively pursued the development of nuclear weapons and adopted a more assertive and risky military approach in recent years. 

U.N. experts have observed that North Korea is continuously violating sanctions by conducting more missile tests and expanding its nuclear arsenal.

The regime even launched a spy satellite this year, reportedly with assistance from Russia. 

In defiance of the sanctions, North Korea is still importing refined petroleum products, sending workers abroad and engaging in cyber attacks, as highlighted in the most recent report by the U.N. panel. 

 Source: Newsroom