A group of 12 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the USA, have released a joint statement after publishing the first report by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT). This team was formed in October 2024 to watch over how United Nations sanctions on North Korea (DPRK) are being followed. Their report focuses mainly on secret military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, especially arms transfers and training of North Korean troops by Russia.
Purpose of the MSMT and Its Report
The MSMT was created because the UN Security Council’s special monitoring group, called the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts, was disbanded in April 2024 after Russia used its veto power in March 2024. This created a gap in overseeing the sanctions against North Korea. The MSMT report collects information from the participating countries and open-source intelligence groups to reveal violations of UN sanctions, especially concerning military ties between North Korea and Russia.
Key Findings in the Report
The report highlights unlawful military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, such as the transfer of weapons and the training of North Korean soldiers by Russian forces. It also documents other violations and ways sanctions have been avoided, based on shared information from member states and public sources.
Call for Action and Dialogue
The statement stresses the importance of fully implementing the UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) on North Korea. The countries urge North Korea to participate in serious diplomatic talks and call on all nations to help maintain global peace by enforcing these sanctions. They also express willingness to reopen dialogue to restore the UN Panel of Experts if it can be reformed in its original full structure before its disbandment.
Ongoing Commitment
The participating countries promise to keep monitoring how the sanctions are applied and to raise awareness about efforts to break or avoid these rules. Their goal is to ensure that the international community fully follows the UN sanctions, aiming to prevent threats to peace and security linked to North Korea and its partners.
The first report by the MSMT is an important step to close the gap left by the disbandment of the UN monitoring panel. It sheds light on North Korea’s continued military ties with Russia, which break UN rules. The group of participating states is determined to enforce sanctions strictly, encourage diplomatic talks, and keep the world informed about sanctions violations. This ongoing work is essential for global peace and security amid challenges posed by North Korea’s actions.
