On Thursday 14 September, the Council strengthened its restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by transposing the sectoral sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 2371 (2017). This resolution was adopted on 5 August 2017. The legislative acts linked to the Council's decision will be published on Friday 15 September.
The Security Council resolution bans all exports of coal, iron, iron ore, seafood, lead and lead ore from North Korea. The EU member states will not allow any more North Korean nationals to work on their territories as they are suspected of generating revenue which is used to support the country's illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The opening of new joint ventures and cooperative entities, as well as the expansion of existing joint ventures through additional investments with any entities and individuals from the DPRK, is also banned. Arms smuggling, joint ventures with foreign companies, banks and their ability to generate revenue and to access the international financial system are also affected by the new system.
Back on 10 August, the Council transposed the additional sanctions (concerning 9 people and 4 entities) in the UN Security Council resolution (see EUROPE 11844).
The Council says in its press release that it will try to move ahead swiftly to the transposition of the additional sanctions contained in the latest UN Security Council Resolution (2375) of 11 September 2017. This resolution provides for new sanctions against Pyongyang, especially the strengthening of certain measures featuring in the previous UN Security Council resolution – for example, regarding North Korean workers. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)