This week, the United States and South Korea created a new working group aimed at preventing North Korea from purchasing illegal oil to circumvent UN sanctions. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.
The first meeting of the working group (EDTF) was reportedly held on Tuesday, March 26, in Washington. In a statement, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said that the meeting was attended by more than 30 officials from ministries and agencies responsible for diplomacy, intelligence, sanctions, and maritime interception.
It is noted that the United States and South Korea expressed concern about the possibility of Russia supplying oil products to the DPRK. Officials discussed ways to stop illegal cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.
Пентагон відстежує військову співпрацю Росії та КНДР27.03.24, 06:22
"Oil is an important resource for North Korea's nuclear and missile development and its military capabilities," the statement said.
Under the UN Security Council sanctions imposed on North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, Pyongyang is allowed to import four million barrels of oil and 500,000 barrels of petroleum products per year.
A UN panel of experts monitoring the implementation of sanctions said this month that North Korean-flagged tankers may have delivered more than 1.5 million barrels of oil products between January 1 and September 15 last year.
Addendum
The United States and South Korea claim that North Korea has supplied Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine. Russia and North Korea deny this, although they have pledged to increase military cooperation. Commercial satellite imagery shows that North Korean oil tankers, including some sanctioned vessels, have been visiting Russian ports in recent weeks.
В обмін на зброю росія почала прямі поставки нафти до КНДР - Financial Times26.03.24, 15:21