What Did the US Official Share with the UN About North Korea Sanctions?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- US diplomat briefs UN on North Korea sanctions.
- MSMT formed to monitor and report on sanctions violations.
- Evidence of arms transfers between North Korea and Russia.
- US supports complete denuclearization of North Korea.
- MSMT to provide timely reports on violations.
Washington, July 18 (NationPress) A US diplomat provided a briefing to United Nations (UN) member states regarding a recent report from an international monitoring team focused on sanctions against North Korea at the UN's New York headquarters on Thursday. This briefing emphasized the military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang, as stated by the State Department.
Seth Bailey, who serves as the director for Korean and Mongolian affairs at the department, presented insights from the inaugural report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT). This newly established group, created in October of last year, is tasked with overseeing and reporting on violations and evasion of UN sanctions imposed on North Korea.
The MSMT was formed following the disbandment of a UN expert panel responsible for monitoring sanctions enforcement, which occurred in April of last year due to Russia's veto against extending its mandate. The new monitoring team comprises 11 nations, including South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada, according to the Yonhap news agency.
The State Department noted that "Director Bailey highlighted evidence of North Korea's transfers of arms and materials to Russia, the transfer of military technology from Russia to North Korea, and the training of North Korean military personnel in Russia."
Additionally, it was stated that the United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and is resolute in holding the nation accountable for any violations of UN sanctions.
Director Bailey also remarked that the MSMT will continue to release timely, globally relevant, and fact-based reports concerning North Korea's violations of UN sanctions across various subjects.
The first MSMT report, published in late May, revealed that Russia has supplied North Korea with air defense systems, electronic warfare jamming devices, and other military assistance since late last year, contravening UN sanctions.
The briefing on Thursday occurred amidst the strengthening of bilateral ties between Russia and North Korea, highlighted by a recent visit to Pyongyang from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and North Korea's reported intentions to dispatch additional military personnel to Russia.
--INAS
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