UNITED NATIONS, Nov 3 – The United States plans to ask a U.N. Security Council committee in the coming days to impose sanctions on seven ships suspected of breaking U.N. sanctions against North Korea, according to a State Department official on Monday.
These seven ships are accused of illegally exporting North Korean coal and iron ore to China, which brings North Korea between $200 million and $400 million annually, as mentioned by the U.S. official who spoke anonymously.
The official stated, “These nominations are not just bureaucratic exercises. They’re about ensuring accountability for U.N. sanctions violations and stopping exports that directly fund North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.”
However, the sanctions committee of the 15-member Security Council needs to reach a consensus, and it is uncertain whether North Korea’s allies, Russia and China, will agree. The Russian and Chinese missions to the U.N. in New York have not responded to requests for comments.
North Korea has faced U.N. sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile activities since 2006. While these sanctions have been strengthened unanimously over the years, the council is currently stuck, as China and Russia advocate for easing them to encourage North Korea to resume denuclearization discussions.
The sanctions include a ban on North Korean exports like coal, iron, lead, textiles, and seafood, along with limits on crude oil and refined petroleum imports.
The Security Council can freeze the assets of a ship, prohibit it from entering ports, and require the country where the ship is registered to "de-flag" it.
The U.S. has indicated for some time that it would nominate new vessels for designation at the U.N., but it is unclear why they have decided to act now.
North Korea, which possesses nuclear weapons, has disregarded overtures from U.S. President Donald Trump, who is eager to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and has significantly improved its missile and conventional military capabilities.
“If there are no consequences for violations, sanctions risk becoming meaningless, and threats to international peace and security like the DPRK nuclear and ballistic missile programs will continue to grow unchecked,” the State Department official said, referring to North Korea’s formal name – the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.