North Korea Issues Warning of Firm Response to Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Activities
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Synopsis
North Korea has threatened to take resolute actions against a South Korea-led monitoring group overseeing UN sanctions related to its nuclear and missile programs. This warning follows the group's inaugural meeting aimed at ensuring compliance with international sanctions.
Key Takeaways
- North Korea warned of strong actions against sanctions enforcement.
- The MSMT is tasked with monitoring UN sanctions.
- North Korea labeled the MSMT as illegal.
- South Korea refuted North Korea's claims of illegitimacy.
- 11 nations, including the US and Japan, formed the MSMT.
Seoul, Feb 24 (NationPress) North Korea has issued a warning on Monday to undertake resolute measures following the commencement of official activities by a South Korea-led monitoring group that is enforcing UN sanctions against the North in relation to its nuclear and missile initiatives.
This declaration from the North arose as the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), formed by South Korea alongside 10 other nations in October, reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the complete enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea during its inaugural steering committee meeting last week.
Labeling the MSMT as an illegal and criminal organization, the head of North Korea's Foreign Ministry's external policy office cautioned that hostile forces would incur a heavy toll for their efforts to infringe upon North Korea's sovereign rights.
The official stated, “The DPRK will not seek a relaxation of sanctions but will resolutely counter the provocations from the US and its allies that aim to undermine the legitimate sovereignty of the DPRK under the guise of enforcing sanctions.”
DPRK refers to North Korea's official title, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
According to the official, “Negotiating for a sanctions waiver is no longer a concern for the DPRK, which has neither sanctions to be lifted nor imposed, and it is absent from the DPRK's agenda.”
In response, South Korea's Foreign Ministry dismissed North Korea's assertions, stating it is self-contradictory for Pyongyang to condemn the multilateral efforts as illegal while it continues to breach UN sanctions, as reported by Yonhap news agency citing the Korean Central News Agency.
The ministry articulated, “It is both absurd and self-contradictory for North Korea, which persistently violates international law, including UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions resolutions, to categorize the voluntary actions of UN member states aimed at faithfully executing the resolutions as illegal or illegitimate.”
“We will persist in enhancing our collaboration with the global community to ensure the comprehensive implementation of UNSC sanctions against North Korea, including active participation in MSMT activities,” the ministry stated.
Following Seoul's initiative, 11 countries, including the United States and Japan, established the MSMT last October to maintain sanctions oversight against North Korea after the UN monitoring panel was disbanded in April last year due to Russia's veto.
