{"id":10180,"date":"2023-12-17T05:25:49","date_gmt":"2023-12-17T04:25:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/?p=10180"},"modified":"2023-12-17T05:25:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-17T04:25:49","slug":"what-are-un-sanctions-on-north-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northkoreainfo.com\/what-are-un-sanctions-on-north-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Un Sanctions On North Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What Are UN Sanctions On North Korea<\/h2>\n

In August 2017 the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2371 imposing a resolution of economic sanctions on North Korea. The UN sanctions imposed a ban on coal, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood exports from North Korea. It also prohibited other countries from opening new joint ventures, conducting imports from North Korea, and transferring funds to the country. Additionally, Resolution 2371 limited the number of North Koreans permitted to work overseas.
\nThe UN sanctions sought to limit the profits North Korea has generated through its exports and to restrict the amount of foreign currency it has access to. This in turn was meant to reduce its financial resources to fund its nuclear missile system. According to Dr. Stephan Haggard, a professor of Korean Studies at the University of California, San Diego:
\n“The coal ban will reduce the significant revenues North Korea earns from exports to China. It also bans employment of North Korean nationals abroad, cutting off another major source of income. If fully enforced, this will cramp the luxury lifestyles of North Korean elites, who have become accustomed to a steady supply of expensive imported goods over the years.”
\nIn October 2017 the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2375 imposing a number of additional measures on North Korea. It limited the total amount of refined petroleum imported by North Korea each year and prohibited the export of North Korean natural gas and food products. The resolution also placed a ban on imports of textiles from North Korea.
\nThe sanctions imposed by UN Resolution 2375 were meant to tighten the economic vise around North Korea and reduce its access to foreign currency. According to Dr. Haggard:
\n“The psychological impact [of Resolution 2375] may be large, given the focus on luxury goods at the heart of the North Korean elite’s life style. Limiting energy imports will also have an economic impact, though just how much is unclear given the low levels of energy imports.”
\nThe UN sanctions have been strongly opposed by North Korea, which has stated that these measures are illegal and unjustified. The country has argued that the UN sanctions are a violation of its national sovereignty, and UN Resolution 2375 has been described by the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an “act of war.”
\nThe effectiveness of the UN sanctions is still in question, as North Korea continues to make significant progress in developing its nuclear missile technology. According to Dr. Haggard, contrary to the intentions behind them, the sanctions could actually be playing into the hands of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un:
\n“The strategy of sanctions, even if strictly enforced, seems unlikely to achieve the lofty objectives of eliminating North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It may even be counterproductive in the sense that it facilitates the current leader’s preferred narrative of a besieged state victimized by foreign enemies, who allegedly will not let the country develop.”<\/p>\n

Resolution of UN Sanctions<\/h2>\n

At the start of 2019, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to lift the restrictions imposed by its previous resolution on North Korea. The aim of this move was to provide a platform for further negotiations between North Korea and the United States. The new resolution directed the UN’s North Korea counter-proliferation committee to assess possible revision of sanctions as part of a diplomatic resolution of the nuclear issue.
\nThe resolution encouraged North Korea to take confidence-building measures such as a ban on nuclear weapons development and proliferation activities, as well as halting the production of fissile material. Additionally, it encouraged all the parties involved in the conflict to fully implement the agreements reached in the previous talks and contribute to the peaceful settlement of the issue.
\nAlthough the resolution was unanimously passed by the Security Council, it has receive criticism from experts. According to Dr. Haggard, the resolution is too vague and has not been backed up with actions from North Korea.
\n“ North Korea’s behavior toward the resolution is unclear. Some of the phrases in the UNSC resolution seem to open the door for softer policies by the United States or other members. But when read in full, the text does not amount to a significant loosening of the sanctions regime. North Korea has not declared what it is prepared to do in exchange.” <\/p>\n

Implications of UN Sanctions<\/h2>\n

The UN sanctions imposed on North Korea are having serious implications for the country. Aside from the direct effects of reduced financial resources and decreased foreign currency, the sanctions are also affecting the population in other ways. For instance, increasing prices of basic commodities, a lack of access to healthcare and education, and growing food shortages have become more pronounced in recent years.
\nIn addition to these economic problems, the sanctions are also having political implications. By attempting to contain North Korea’s nuclear program, the UN is also helping to isolate the country both politically and diplomatically. This could in turn lead to further tension with other countries and a lack of international cooperation.
\nThe sanctions have also caused a rift between the US and China, which has been accused of not being serious about implementing the UN regulations. According to Dr. Haggard:
\n“China’s priority appears to be containing the United States as much as North Korea. The US has responded with other measures implemented outside the UN framework, such as strengthened sanctions on Chinese firms deemed to be violating the UN sanctions regime. Whether this will translate into greater Chinese pressure on North Korea remains to be seen.”<\/p>\n

Impact On The Region<\/h2>\n

The impact of sanctions on North Korea also extend to neighboring countries, particularly with regard to regional security. Fear has been growing in countries such as South Korea and Japan about whether North Korea might deploy its nuclear weapons in a conflict situation.
\nFurthermore, if the UN sanctions are successful in hampering the North Korean nuclear program, other countries in the region such as Japan and South Korea could also be incentivized to develop their own nuclear weapons capabilities. This would exacerbate the security situation in the region, as other countries would be more likely to engage in a nuclear arms race.
\nSuch a situation would also potentially lead to further instability in the region, as other nations attempt to counter-balance each other’s growing nuclear capabilities. According to Dr. Haggard:
\n“ Other countries will view any additional nuclear capabilities in Northeast Asia with grave concern. Sanctions may have pushed China to cooperate more, but they may have also motivated China to put greater pressure on the United States to reduce its military presence in the region while incentivizing others, such as Japan and South Korea, to consider more independent nuclear deterrents.” <\/p>\n

International Opinion On Sanctions<\/h2>\n