"China and Russia Demand UN Security Council Lift Restrictions on North Korea's Oil Imports"

Foreign Media Citing Draft Resolution Prepared by China and Russia
"Likely to Demand Resumption of North Korea's Overseas Worker Dispatch and Textile and Seafood Exports"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Reports have emerged that China and Russia are expected to demand the easing of sanctions on North Korea, including the relaxation of restrictions on North Korea's refined oil imports, at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

On the 1st (local time), major foreign media cited a draft UNSC resolution prepared by China and Russia, reporting that these countries plan to request the easing of sanctions on North Korea "for the purpose of improving the quality of life of North Korean citizens."

According to the draft resolution, China and Russia plan to again demand the lifting of the ban on sending North Korean workers overseas, which they had also requested in 2019. Additionally, these countries intend to request the lifting of export bans on North Korean textile products and seafood.

China and Russia also plan to request that the railway and road construction projects connecting South Korea and North Korea on the Korean Peninsula be excluded from the sanctions.

According to sources familiar with the matter, this draft resolution was shared with UNSC member states on the 29th of last month.

However, the prevailing view is that it is uncertain whether such easing of sanctions on North Korea will actually pass the Security Council.

In fact, the resolution submitted by China and Russia in 2019 to ease sanctions on North Korea was withdrawn before a vote due to opposition from UNSC member states.

Some UN officials reportedly said that the new resolution to ease sanctions on North Korea, expected to be submitted this time, is also unlikely to gain support from member states, according to foreign media reports.

In particular, the United States maintains its stance opposing the easing of sanctions on North Korea.

On the same day, a representative from the US Mission to the UN emphasized, "North Korea has not taken measures to comply with the Security Council's demands so far," and added, "Security Council member states should focus on inducing behavioral changes from the party violating the already implemented sanctions."

For a resolution to pass in the Security Council, it must receive the consent of the five permanent members? the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China? as well as at least nine votes in favor out of the total 15 member states.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.