Brussels, 27/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 27 May, the Council of the EU adopted new restrictive measures against North Korea, in response to the North Korean regime's nuclear test in January 2016 and the firing of ballistic missiles in February. These measures target trade, financial services, investment and transport.
After publication of the legal acts in the Official Journal of the EU on Saturday 28 May, it will be forbidden to: - import oil products and luxury articles from North Korea into the EU; - provide this country with additional equipment linked to dual-use goods and technology. All public support for trade with North Korea will also be prohibited.
In 2015, trade between the EU and North Korea stood at €30 million.
In the financial sector, the transfer of funds to and from North Korea will be forbidden, except in certain pre-defined cases which are authorised in advance, such as, according to a European source, humanitarian or health assistance or sending personal funds over €15,000. All North Korean investments in the EU are forbidden, as are European investments in North Korea in the mining, chemical or oil refinery sectors and in any entity participating in the illegal North Korean programmes. In addition, any aircraft operated by a North Korean carrier will not be permitted to land on, take off from or fly over EU territory. Any vessel owned, operated or crewed by North Korea will no longer be able to enter European ports.
These new measures complete and strengthen the sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council resolutions, which were transposed by the EU on 5 and 31 March 2016 (see EUROPE 11505 and 11523). On 19 May, the EU also brought the number of people to 66 who are subject to the EU's own autonomous measures, and to 42 the number of entities, in connection with the North Korean nuclear programme (see EUROPE 11554).
In their statement published the same day, the G7 countries demanded that Pyongyang not conduct any further nuclear tests, or engage in any other destabilising or provocative actions, but that it “immediately and fully” comply with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six Party Talks. The G7 leaders also called on the international community to fully implement and enforce the UN resolutions. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)