U.S. , South Korea and Japan today announced a new multilateral team to monitor the implementation of sanctions against North Korea, after Russia and China obstructed the existing UN mechanism, reported "Reuters", quoted by BTA.
The mechanism, called the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, was created after Russia rejected the annual renewal of the UN expert panel in March. This group has over the past 15 years monitored the implementation of sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. China abstained from the vote, recalls "Reuters".
The new team will continue the work of the UN, including preparing regular reports on the implementation of sanctions. It will include the participation of eight other countries, including Britain, France and Germany, a South Korean official said.
The official launch of the team was announced at a joint press conference in Seoul by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano, along with the ambassadors of the eight countries, before their talks in Seoul.
The initiative may not have the international legitimacy that comes with UN support, but it will provide more effective surveillance of North Korea. This will be done without having to deal with attempts by Moscow and Beijing to downplay Pyongyang's alleged sanctions violations to the world body, another Seoul official said.
"Various discussions were held on how to resolve the issue of the absence of the UN commission, but there was consensus on the urgency and need to resolve the issue immediately as the North continues to violate UN sanctions," the first official said .
"The team is open to all countries willing to commit and contribute, and we look forward to more countries joining."
Washington and Seoul claim that North Korea and Russia have made illegal military deals. Moscow and Pyongyang deny any arms trade, but have vowed to strengthen military ties, concluding a mutual defense treaty at a summit in June.