Three Reuters sources reported on Wednesday ( Apr 17 ) that the US, South Korea, and Japan are calling for a new multi-national panel of experts, possibly outside the UN, to impose sanctions on North Korea after Russia and China stifled monitoring activities at the international body.
Russia objected to the UN panel of experts ‘ monthly registration, which has over the prior 15 years monitored the application of punishment intended to halt North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. China voted against.
According to the sources, the envisioned fresh panel’s goal is to carry on the job of the UN organization and would be run by Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo, with support from like-minded nations like Australia, New Zealand, and some European nations, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of political sensitivity.
A mature South Korean government official said,” The UN panel had some troubles because Chinese and Russian members frequently tried to impede North Korea’s alleged restrictions evasion.”
The official claimed that this team could more effectively track North Korea despite not having the global authority that a UN-backed operation has.
Seoul would prefer to introduce the mechanism among allies and friends, but another senior official said there is a chance they will ask for formal approval from the UN General Assembly ( UNGA ).