US Sanctions Three North Korea-Russia Arms Trade Entities... South Korea Indicates "Considering Independent Sanctions"

"We Will Continuously Review Independent Sanctions Against North Korea"

Two days before the Korea-US-Japan summit, our government expressed support for the US imposing independent sanctions on three entities that attempted to facilitate arms transactions between North Korea and Russia.

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on the 16th against three entities, including Berus based in Russia, Verso of Slovak nationality, and Defense Engineering, a Kazakhstani company.

According to the Treasury Department, Ashot Mkrtichev, the owner of the three companies, mediated arms transactions between North Korea and Russia in March, coordinating a plan to transfer more than 20 types of weapons and ammunition from North Korea to Russia in exchange for sending materials including food from Russia to North Korea.

At a regular briefing on the 17th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim said in response to related questions, "We welcome this US action," adding, "We will continue efforts to strengthen international cooperation on North Korea with allies such as the US, including the thorough implementation of existing Security Council sanctions."

Regarding whether South Korea is considering independent sanctions, he said, "We plan to continuously review independent sanctions against North Korea to actively respond to its illegal nuclear and missile development and arms transactions."

Spokesperson Lim explained, "No UN member state should engage in military cooperation with North Korea that directly violates Security Council sanctions resolutions, including illegal arms transactions, thereby undermining international peace and stability. Our government will continue efforts to strengthen broad cooperation on North Korea with the international community, including the US and other allies, through the thorough implementation of Security Council sanctions."

The UN Security Council applies a comprehensive arms embargo prohibiting the export, import, sale, and transfer of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as well as all conventional weapons to and from North Korea. Any UN member state purchasing North Korean weapons constitutes a direct violation of Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile, regarding Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's recent claim that military cooperation with North Korea does not threaten neighboring countries, spokesperson Lim drew a clear line, stating, "Military cooperation with North Korea that undermines international peace and stability must be immediately halted."

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