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Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

Russia vetoes extension of mandate of UN experts on sanctions against DPRK

Of the 15 UN Security Council members 13 voted in favor, China abstained

UNITED NATIONS, March 28. /TASS/. Russia has used its veto right in the UN Security Council and blocked the draft resolution submitted by the United States for extending until April 30, 2025 the mandate of the group of experts of the UN Security Council’s committee 1718 on sanctions against the DPRK, TASS correspondent reports.

Of the 15 UNSC members 13 voted in favor. China abstained.

The document suggested extending until April 30, 2025 "the mandate of the group of experts defined in paragraph 26 of Resolution 1874 and adjusted by paragraph 29 of resolution 2094." The draft resolution also stipulated that a review of the mandate and an "appropriate decision on its further extension" should be carried out no later than March 24, 2025.

Pursuant to the rejected draft, the UNSC would have recommended that the panel of experts should search for and collect information on instances of North Korea’s non-compliance with measures imposed by relevant resolutions of the UNSC and continue to keep the committee informed of such instances and trends.

Resolution 1718 was adopted in October 2006 in response to North Korea's nuclear test. It banned the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of any military equipment and weapons, as well as materials, equipment, goods and technology that could be used in North Korea's WMD programs. The UNSC has since adopted a number of other resolutions tightening sanctions on North Korea. The committee was formed to monitor compliance with the sanctions imposed by the Security Council.

As Russia’s ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said before the vote, the Security Council had long been faced with the need for giving thought to actualizing the sanction regime against North Korea, while the group of experts of this sanctions committee no longer coped with its duties.

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