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North Korea Sanctions

 

The United Nations Security Council has passed 21 Security Council resolutions concerning North Korea since 2006, when the first resolution of the current crisis – resolution 1718 – was adopted by consensus in response to the nuclear test of 9 October 2006. The sanctions resolutions oblige UN Member States to implement sanctions measures with the goal of targeting North Korea’s ability to pursue its nuclear, missile, and conventional military programs.

Categories of Sanctions Measures

United Nations sanctions on North Korea are composed of a broad range of measures that countries must implement to be compliant with their United Nations obligations. The measures target and counter the various ways in which North Korea finances, develops, tests, and uses its weapons programs. 

Arms and Related Materiel

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting all conventional arms
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing all conventional arms
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing helicopters and vessels

Sanctions Measures: Conventional Arms and Services

Pursuant to the UN arms and related materiel embargo on North Korea, Member States are prohibited from:  

  • Selling, supplying or transferring small arms and light weapons and their related materiel to North Korea;
  • Conducting financial transactions related to the above;
  • Providing technical training to North Korea including hosting trainers, advisors, or other officials for the purpose of military-, paramilitary- or police-related training;
  • Providing services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms and related materiel;
  • Shipping items to or from North Korea for repair, servicing, refurbishing, testing, reverse-engineering and marketing.

Furthermore, all Member States must apply a “catch-all” clause on the supply, sale or transfer of any item if it is determined that such an item could directly contribute to the development of North Korea's operational capabilities of its armed forces, or to exports that support or enhance the capabilities of armed forces of another Member State outside North Korea. 

Exemptions

Pursuant to paragraph 8 (a) and (b) of Security Council Resolution 2270 (2016), there are three exemptions to the arms and related materiel embargo:

  1. Food or medicine
  2. Activity exclusively for humanitarian or livelihood purposes, which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue, and is also not related to any activities prohibited by relevant resolutions
  3. 1718 Committee case-by-case determination

In addition, Member States must notify the Committee in advance of such determination and inform the Committee of measures taken to prevent the diversion of the item for other purposes.

Diplomatic Missions & Personnel

Legally Binding

  • UN Member States are required to expel North Korean diplomats and foreign nationals involved in illicit activities.
  • Designated North Korean individuals are prohibited from traveling abroad

Sanctions Measures: Diplomats, Foreign Nationals, and Representative Offices

Pursuant to the UN proliferation network measures imposed on North Korea, Member States are required to: 

  • Expel North Korean diplomats, government representatives and other North Korean nationals acting in a governmental or representative office capacity
  • Expel foreign nationals that are working on behalf or at the direction of a designated person and/or entity or of a person and/or entity assisting in sanctions evasions or violating the resolutions
  • Close the representative offices of designated persons and entities, as well as of any persons or entities acting on behalf of such designated persons or entities, as well as prohibit them from participating in joint ventures and any other business arrangements.
Exemptions: paragraph 13 and paragraph 14 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • Transit of representatives of the Government of North Korea to the UN Headquarters or other UN facilities to conduct UN business
  • The presence of the individual is required for fulfillment of a judicial process
  • The presence of the individual is required exclusively for medical, safety or other humanitarian purposes
  • The Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that the expulsion of the individual would be contrary to the objectives of relevant resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Staff, Transit, Bank Accounts, Property

Member States are also required to:

  • Reduce the number of staff at North Korean diplomatic missions and consular posts
  • Restrict the entry into or transit through their territory of North Korean government members and officials, members of the North Korean armed forces, or members/officials associated with prohibited programs or activities, as determined by the Member State
  • Limit the number of bank accounts (in their territory) to one per North Korean diplomatic mission and consular post, and one per accredited North Korean diplomat and consular officer
  • Prohibit North Korea from using real property (owned or leased) in their territory for non-diplomatic or consular activities’ purposes

Interdiction and Transportation

Legally Binding

  • UN Member States are required to inspect vessels and aircraft suspected of being engaged in illicit conduct

Sanctions Measures: Cargo Inspection

Pursuant to the UN interdiction and transportation measures imposed on North Korea, Member States are: 

Required to inspect cargo destined to or originating from North Korea or brokered by North Korea that is within or transiting their territories. This includes items that are being transported on North Korean-flagged aircraft or vessels, transported by rail and by road, as well as the personal luggage and checked baggage of individuals entering into or departing from North Korea that may be used to transport items the supply, sale or transfer of which is prohibited.

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Leasing and Chartering

Prohibited from leasing, chartering their flagged vessels, aircraft or providing crew services to North Korea, designated persons and entities, or any persons or entities who the Member State determines have assisted in sanctions evasions or in violation of the resolutions

Exemptions: paragraph 8 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: Crew Services

Prohibited from procuring vessel and aircraft crewing services from North Korea

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: North Korean Vessel De-registration

Required to de-register any vessel that is owned or operated by North Korea and not to register any such vessel that is de-registered by another Member State.

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Vessel De-registration

Required to de-register any vessels they have reasonable grounds to believe were involved in activities or the transport of items prohibited by the relevant resolutions. Member States should not register any such vessel that has been de-registered by another Member State.

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Registration in North Korea

Required to prohibit their nationals, entities and persons within their territory from registering vessels in North Korea, to obtain authorization for a vessel to use the North Korean flag or to charter vessels flagged by North Korea.

Exemptions: paragraph 9 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: North Korean Vessel Ownership, Operation, and Related Services

Prohibited from owning, leasing, operating, chartering, or providing vessel classification, certification or associated service and insurance or re-insurance, to any North Korean-flagged, owned, controlled or operated vessel.

Exemptions: paragraph 22 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that the vessel is engaged in activities exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue or exclusively for humanitarian purposes

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Insurance or Re-insurance

Required to prohibit the provision of insurance or re-insurance services to vessels they have reasonable grounds to believe were involved in activities or the transport of items prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

Exemptions: paragraph 11 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that the vessel is engaged in activities exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue or exclusively for humanitarian purposes

Sanctions Measures: Aircrafts

Required to deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contained prohibited items.

Exemptions: paragraph 21 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • In the case of an emergency landing

Sanctions Measures: Ports

Required to deny port entry if they have information that provides reasonable grounds that the vessel is owned, controlled, directly or indirectly, by a designated individual and/or entity.

Exemptions: paragraph 22 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • For inspection
  • Committee determines in advance that such entry is required for humanitarian purposes or any other purposes consistent with the objectives of relevant resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Designation Actions

The Committee, if it has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel(s) are or have been related to prohibited programs or activities, and pursuant to the vessels’ designation, will require any or all of the following actions: de-flagging of the vessel(s) by the Flag State; directing the vessel(s) to a port identified by the Committee (in coordination with the port State) by the Flag State; the prohibition of the vessel(s) entering into ports by Member States; and for the vessel(s) to be subject to assets freeze.    

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • Direction by the Committee 

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Designation

The Committee may designate vessels for which it has information indicating they are, or have been, related to activities prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

All Member States are required to prohibit the entry into their ports of such designated vessels.

Exemptions: paragraph 6 of resolution 2375 (2017)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • Committee determines in advance that such entry is required for humanitarian purposes or any other purposes consistent with the objectives of relevant resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Inspections on the High Seas

Member States are called upon to inspect vessels with the consent of the flag State, on the high seas, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo of such vessels contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

All States are called upon to cooperate with inspections and, if the flag State does not consent to inspection on the high seas, decides that the flag State shall direct the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities, and decides further that, if a flag State neither consents to inspection on the high seas nor directs the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection, or if the vessel refuses to comply with flag State direction to permit inspection on the high seas or to proceed to such a port, then the Committee shall consider designating the vessel for the measures imposed in paragraph 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) and paragraph 12 of resolution 2321 (2016) and the flag State shall immediately deregister that vessel provided that such designation has been made by the Committee.

All Member States are required, when it does not receive the cooperation of a flag State of a vessel, to submit promptly to the Committee a report containing relevant details.

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2375 (2017)
  • Applies only with respect to the situation in North Korea and shall not affect the rights, obligations, or responsibilities of Member States under international law, including any rights or obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with respect to any other situation
  • This resolution shall not be considered as establishing customary international law

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Inspections at Port

All Member States are required to seize, inspect, and freeze (impound) any vessel in their ports, and may do so with any vessel subject to their jurisdiction in their territorial waters if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was involved in activities, or the transport of items, prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

Exemptions: paragraph 9 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • After six months from the date such vessels were frozen (impounded), this provision shall not apply if the Committee decides, on a case-by-case basis and upon request of a flag State, that adequate arrangements have been made to prevent the vessel from contributing to future violations of these resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Ship-to-Ship Transfers

All Member States are required to prohibit their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction, entities incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction, and vessels flying their flag, from facilitating or engaging in ship-to-ship transfers to or from North Korean-flagged vessels of any goods or items that are being supplied, sold, or transferred to or from North Korea.    

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Information Sharing

All Member States should improve mutual information-sharing on suspected attempts by North Korea to supply, sell, transfer or procure illicit cargo, with support and facilitation by the 1718 Committee and the Panel of Experts.

All Member States are required to notify the Committee of relevant identifying information as well as measures taken to carry out appropriate actions as authorized by the relevant provisions regarding vessels in their territory or on the high seas designated as subject to the assets freeze, the port entry ban or other relevant measures.

Exemptions: None

Assets Freeze, Disposal of Seized Items, Travel Ban

Legally Binding

  • Member States are required to freeze the assets, funds, and economic resources of the North Korean Government and Korean Workers' Party entities that are associated with prohibited activities. The assets can include vessels
  • Member States are required to seize and dispose prohibited items

Sanctions Measure: Assets Freeze

All Member States are required to freeze the assets, funds, and economic resources of the entities of the Government of the DPRK and Korean Workers’ Party, that the State determines are associated with the prohibited activities, including designated persons and entities, as well as any persons or entities acting on behalf of or at their direction, or those owned or controlled by them. These assets include tangible, intangible, movable, immovable, actual or potential, which may be used to obtain funds, goods or services, such as vessels, including maritime vessels.

Designated vessels are subject to assets freeze by Member States.

Exemptions: paragraph 9 (a), (b) and (c) of resolution 1718 (2006)
  • Necessary for basic expenses, including payment for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums, and public utility charges, or exclusively for payment of reasonable professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses associated with the provision of legal services, or fees or service charges, in accordance with national laws, for routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds, other financial assets and economic resources, after notification by the relevant States to the Committee of the intention to authorize, where appropriate, access to such funds, other financial assets and economic resources and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee within five working days of such notification
  • Necessary for extraordinary expenses, provided that such determination has been notified by the relevant States to the Committee and has been approved by the Committee
  • Subject of a judicial, administrative or arbitral lien or judgement, in which case the funds, other financial assets and economic resources may be used to satisfy that lien or judgement provided that the lien or judgement was entered prior to the date of the present resolution, is not for the benefit of a person referred to in paragraph 8 (d) above [persons or entities designated by the Committee or by the Security Council as being engaged in or providing support for, including through other illicit means, DPRK’s nuclear-related, other weapons of mass destruction-related and ballistic missile-related programmes, or by persons or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction] or an individual or entity identified by the Security Council or the Committee, and has been notified by the relevant States to the Committee
Exemptions: paragraph 32 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • Funds, other financial assets and economic resources that are required to carry out activities of the DPRK’s missions to the United Nations and its specialized agencies and related organizations or other diplomatic and consular missions of the DPRK
  • Funds, other financial assets and economic resources that the Committee determines in advance on a case-by-case basis are required for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, denuclearization or any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this resolution
Exemptions: paragraph 27 of resolution 2371 (2017)
  • The Committee may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt any activity from the measures imposed by these resolutions if the committee determines that such an exemption is necessary to facilitate the work of international and non-governmental organizations carrying out assistance and relief activities in the DPRK for the benefit of the civilian population of the DPRK or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of these resolutions
  • Shall not apply with respect to financial transactions with the DPRK Foreign Trade Bank or the Korea National Insurance Corporation if such transactions are solely for the operation of diplomatic or consular missions in the DPRK or humanitarian assistance activities that are undertaken by, or in coordination with, the United Nations

Sanctions Measure: Disposal of Seized Items

All Member States are required to seize and dispose (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable or unusable, storage or transferring to a State other than originating or destination States for disposal) of prohibited items by the relevant resolutions in a manner consistent with their international obligations.    

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measure: Travel Ban

All Member States are required to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of designated individuals; individuals acting on behalf of or at the direction of designated individuals; any individual whom a State determines is assisting in the evasion of sanctions, violating the provisions of the resolutions, working on behalf/at the direction of designated individuals; and individuals traveling for the purposes of carrying out activities related to the shipment of items for repair, servicing, refurbishing, testing, reverse-engineering, and marketing.

Exemptions: paragraph 10 of resolution 1718 (2006):
  • Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that such travel is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligations, or where the Committee concludes that an exemption would otherwise further the objectives of the present resolution
Exemptions: paragraph 10 of resolution 2094 (2013)
  • The presence of an individual is required for fulfillment of a judicial process or exclusively for medical, safety or other humanitarian purposes, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall impede the transit of representatives of the Government of the DPRK to the United Nations Headquarters to conduct United Nations business

Bunkering Services

Legally Binding

  • UN Member States are prohibited from providing bunkering services to North Korean vessels

Sanctions Measures: Bunkering Services

All Member States are required to prohibit the provision of bunkering services, such as fuel, supplies, other servicing of vessels to North Korean vessels if reasonable grounds and information exist that they are carrying prohibited items.

Exemptions: paragraph 17 of resolution 1874 (2009)
  • Provision of such services is necessary for humanitarian purposes
  • Cargo has been inspected, and seized and disposed of if necessary
  • Not intended to affect legal economic activities

WMD-Related Items

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting WMD and missile-related technology
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing WMD and missile-related technology

Sanctions Measures: WMD-Related Items and Services

Pursuant to the UN non-proliferation measures imposed on the DPRK, the export to and import from the DPRK of the following is prohibited:  

  • Items relevant to nuclear, ballistic missiles and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related programs 
  • Technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related or other weapons of mass destruction-related items, materials, equipment, goods and technology. The DPRK is prohibited from engaging in any form of technical cooperation with other Member States on launches using ballistic missile technology, even if characterized as a satellite launch or space launch vehicle

Furthermore, all Member States must apply a “catch-all” clause on the supply, sale or transfer of any item if it is determined that such an item could contribute to North Korea's nuclear or ballistic missile programs, other WMD programs or other activities prohibited by the resolutions

Prohibited Items

Lists of prohibited WMD-related dual-use items, materials, equipment, goods and technology can be found on the UN Security Council website.

Exemptions

None

Financial Measures

Sanctions Measures: Financial Services

All Member States are required to prevent the provision of financial services, including bulk cash and gold, the opening of banking subsidiaries, the provision of public financial support, new commitments for grants, and financial assistance or concessional loans that could contribute to the DPRK’s prohibited programmes/activities, or to the evasion of sanctions.

Companies performing financial services commensurate with those provided by banks are considered financial institutions for the purposes of implementing relevant provision of the resolutions.

All Member States are prohibited from opening any new branches, subsidiaries and representative offices of DPRK banks; must close existing branches, subsidiaries and representative offices; and terminate any joint ventures, ownership interests or correspondent banking relationships with DPRK banks in their territory.

Exemptions: Paragraph 19 of resolution 1874 (2009) and paragraph 33 of resolution 2270 (2016).
  • Humanitarian and developmental purposes directly addressing the needs of the civilian population, or the promotion of denuclearization
  • Unless such transactions have been approved by the Committee in advance

All Member States are prohibited from opening any new representative offices, subsidiaries or bank accounts in the DPRK. All Member States must close existing offices, subsidiaries and banking accounts in the DPRK within 90 days.

Exemption: Paragraph 31 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Unless the Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that such offices, subsidiaries or accounts are required for the delivery of humanitarian assistance or the activities of diplomatic missions in the DPRK or the activities of the United Nations or its specialized agencies or related organizations or any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this resolution 

Sanctions Measures: Financial Support

All Member States are required to prohibit public and private financial support from within their territories or by persons/entities within their jurisdiction for trade with the DPRK, including granting of export credits, guarantees or insurance to their nationals, or entities involved in such trade.

Exception: Paragraph 32 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Except as approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis 

Sanctions Measures: Individuals Working on Behalf of Financial Institutions

If a Member State determines that an individual is working on behalf of or at the direction of a DPRK bank/financial institution, then the individual is to be expelled by the Member State from their territory for the purpose of repatriation.

Exception: Paragraph 33 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Unless the presence of the individual is required for fulfillment of a judicial process or exclusively for medical, safety or other humanitarian purposes, or the Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that the expulsion of the individual would be contrary to the objectives of resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), or this resolution 

Sanctions Measures: Joint Ventures or Cooperative Entities

All Member States are required to prohibit, by their nationals or in their territories, the opening, maintenance and operation of all joint ventures or cooperative entities, new or existing, with DPRK entities or individuals, whether or not acting for or on behalf of the government of the DPRK.

All Member States are required to close any such existing joint venture or cooperative entity within 120 days of 11 September 2017 unless approved by the Committee on a case-by-case basis, and to close any such existing joint venture or cooperative entity within 120 days after the Committee has denied a request for approval.

Exceptions: Paragraph 18 of resolution 2375
  • Unless such joint ventures or cooperative entities, in particular those that are non-commercial, public utility infrastructure projects not generating profit, have been approved by the Committee in advance on a case-by-case basis

Sanctioned Commercial Sectors

UN sanctions target a range of commercial sectors. The focus is often to deprive the target of sanctions with particularly essential goods or products. In other cases, the focus is on the particular vulnerabilities of the target in question.

Agricultural Goods

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting food and agricultural products

Sanctions Measures: Agricultural Products

Pursuant to UN Council Resolution, DPRK shall not supply, sell or transfer, directly or indirectly, from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag vessels or aircraft, food and agricultural products

  • HS Code 12: oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder
  • HS Code 08: fruit and nuts, edible; peel of citrus fruit or melons
  • HS Code 07: vegetables and certain roots and tubers; edible
Exemptions: paragraph 25 of Resolution 2397 (2017)

Food aid and humanitarian assistance are not prohibited. 

Energy

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from importing all condensates and natural gas liquids
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing refined petroleum products, above 500,000 barrels annually
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing crude oil, above 525,000 tons or 4 billion barrels annually

Sanctions Measures: Condensates and Natural Gas Liquids

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Condensates
  • Natural gas liquids
Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Refined Petroleum Products

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Refined petroleum products in excess of the aggregate amount of 500,000 barrels during periods of 12 months beginning on 1 January 2018
  • The data of the total amount of refined petroleum products sold, supplied, or transferred to the DPRK can be found here
Exemptions: paragraph 5 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • The Member State notifies the Committee every thirty days of the amount of such supply, sale, or transfer to the DPRK of refined petroleum products along with information about all the parties to the transaction; AND
  • The supply, sale, or transfer of refined petroleum products involve no individuals or entities that are associated with the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions; AND
  • The supply, sale, or transfer of refined petroleum products are exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to generating revenue for the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions 

Sanctions Measures: Crude Oil

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Crude oil that exceeds the aggregate amounts of 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons per 12-month periods from 22 December 2017. Member States are required to report the amount of crude oil provided to the DPRK to the 1718 Committee every 90 days
Exemptions: paragraph 4 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Committee approves in advance on a case-by-case basis a shipment of crude oil which is exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions
  • Crude oil that, for a period of twelve months after the date of adoption of this resolution, and for twelve months periods thereafter, does not exceed 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons in the aggregate per twelve month period

Industrial (Non-energy)

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from importing and exporting industrial machinery and electrical equipment

Sanctions Measures: Industrial Machinery

All Member States are prohibited from importing and exporting all industrial machinery (HS codes 84 and 85)

  • HS code 84: nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof
  • HS code 85: electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles

Sanctions Measures: Transportation Vehicles

All Members States are prohibited from exporting transportation vehicles (HS codes 86-89)

  • HS code 86: railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds
  • HS code 87: vehicles; other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof
  • HS code 88: aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof
  • HS code 89: ships, boats and floating structures

Sanctions Measures: Transportation Vehicles

All Member States are prohibited from exporting and iron, steel, and other metals (HS codes 72-83)

  • HS code 73: iron or steel articles
  • HS code 74: copper and articles thereof
  • HS code 75: nickel and articles thereof
  • HS code 76: aluminum and articles thereof
  • HS code 77: (reserved for possible future use in HS)
  • HS code 78: lead and articles thereof
  • HS code 79: zinc and articles thereof
  • HS code 80: tin; articles thereof
  • HS code 81: metals; N.E.C., cermets and articles thereof
  • HS code 82: tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks, or base metal; parts thereof, of base metals
  • HS code 83: metal; miscellaneous products of base metal
Exemptions: paragraph 7 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Provision shall not apply to spare parts needed to maintain the safe operation of DPRK commercial civilian passenger aircraft (currently consisting of the following aircraft models and types: An-24R/RV, An-148-100B, Il-18D, Il-62M, Tu-134B-3, Tu-154B, Tu-204-100B, and Tu-204-300)

 

Military Goods and Related Technology

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting all conventional arms
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing all conventional arms
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing helicopters and vessels
  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting WMD and missile-related technology
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing WMD and missile-related technology

Sanctions Measures: Conventional Arms

All Member States shall prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer to the DPRK as well as to financial transactions, technical training, advice, service or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of conventional and small arms, as well as light weapons.

  • S/2016/1069: List of conventional arms dual-use items, pursuant to Resolution 2321
  • S/2017/760: List of conventional arms-related items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, pursuant to Resolution 2371
  • S/2017/829: List of additional conventional arms-related items, materials, equipment, goods and technology, pursuant to Resolution 2375

Sanctions Measures: WMD and Missile-related Technology

  • S/2006/853: List of chemical and biological items, materials, equipment, goods and technologies related to other weapons of mass destruction programs, purpose to Resolution 1718 (correction)
  • S/2014/253: List of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology related to ballistic missile programs, pursuant to Resolution 2087
  • S/2016/308: List of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology related to WMD-related items and identified and designated as sensitive goods, pursuant to Resolution 2270
  • S/RES/2321 (2016): List of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology pursuant to Resolution 2321
  • S/2017/728: List of additional goods pursuant to Resolution 2371
  • S/2017/822: List of additional WMD-related dual-use items, materials, equipment, goods, and technology, pursuant to Resolution 2375.
Exemptions

Pursuant to paragraph 8 (a) and (b) of Security Council Resolution 2270 (2016), there are three exemptions to the arms and related materiel embargo:

  1. Food or medicine
  2. Activity exclusively for humanitarian or livelihood purposes, which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue, and is also not related to any activities prohibited by relevant resolutions
  3. 1718 Committee case-by-case determination

In addition, Member States must notify the Committee in advance of such determination and inform the Committee of measures taken to prevent the diversion of the item for other purposes.

Metals & Mining

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore, copper, nickel, silver, zinc and rare earths

Sanctions Measures: Metal and Mineral Imports

Import from the DPRK of the following is prohibited:

  • coal
  • iron and iron ore
  • gold
  • titanium ore
  • vanadium ore
  • copper
  • nickel
  • silver
  • zinc
  • rare earth minerals
  • lead and lead ore
  • earth and stone (including magnesite and magnesia)

The UN has provided specific HS codes covering some, though not all, of the prohibited items listed above:

  • HS code 25: salt, sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement

Sanctions Measures: Metal and Mineral Exports

Export to the DPRK of iron, steel, and other metals (HS codes 72-83)

  • HS code 72: iron and steel
  • HS code 73: iron or steel articles
  • HS code 74: copper and articles thereof
  • HS code 75: nickel and articles thereof
  • HS code 76: aluminum and articles thereof
  • HS code 77: (reserved for possible future use in HS)
  • HS code 78: lead and articles thereof
  • HS code 79: zinc and articles thereof
  • HS code 80: tin; articles thereof
  • HS code 81: metals; N.E.C., cermets and articles thereof
  • HS code 82: tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks, or base metal; parts thereof, of base metals
  • HS code 83: metal; miscellaneous products of base metal
Exemptionsparagraph 8 of resolution 2371 (2017) – only applicable to coal
  • State determines that such activity is exclusively for humanitarian purposes or exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by DPRK individuals or entities to generate revenue, and also not related to any activity prohibited by relevant resolutions, provided that the State notifies the Committee in advance of such determination and also informs the Committee of measures taken to prevent the diversion of the item for such other purposes
  • Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that a particular supply, sale or transfer would not be contrary to the objectives of resolutions
Exemptions: paragraph 6 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • For written contracts have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution, all States may only allow those shipments to be imported into their territories up to 30 days from the date of adoption of this resolution with notification provided to the Committee containing details on those imports by no later than 45 days after the date of adoption of this resolution

Training & Cooperation

Legally Binding

  • Member States are prohibited from providing nuclear or military training to North Korea
  • Member States are prohibited from engaging in scientific and technical cooperation with North Korea

Sanctions Measures: Specialized Teaching and Training 

All Member States are required to exercise vigilance and prevent specialized teaching or training of DPRK nationals within their territories or by their nationals of disciplines which could contribute to the DPRK’s proliferation sensitive nuclear activities and development of nuclear weapon delivery systems, which includes, but is not limited to advanced materials science, advanced chemical engineering, advanced mechanical engineering, advanced electrical engineering and advanced industrial engineering.    

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Scientific and Technical Cooperation

All Member States are required to suspend scientific and technical cooperation involving persons or groups officially sponsored by or representing the DPRK except for medical exchanges; determined on a case-by-case basis by the Committee (fields of nuclear science and technology, aerospace and aeronautical engineering and technology, advanced manufacturing production techniques and methods); and determined by the engaging State and notified to the Committee in advance of such determination (all other scientific or technical cooperation).    

Exemptionsparagraph 11 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • In the case of scientific or technical cooperation in the fields of nuclear science and technology, aerospace and aeronautical engineering and technology, or advanced manufacturing production techniques and methods, the Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that a particular activity will not contribute to the DPRK’s proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or ballistic missile -related programs
  • In the case of all other scientific or technical cooperation, the State engaging in scientific or technical cooperation determines that the particular activity will not contribute to the DPRK’s proliferation sensitive nuclear activities or ballistic missile-related programs and notifies the Committee in advance of such determination

Sanctions Measures: Military-, Paramilitary-, and Police-related Training

All Member States are required to prohibit the procurement from the DPRK of technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms and related materiel. Additionally, Member States are prohibited from engaging in the hosting of trainers, advisors, or other officials for the purpose of military -, paramilitary- or police-related training.

Exemptions: None

Transportation

Legally Binding

  • UN Member States are required to inspect vessels and aircraft suspected of being engaged in illicit conduct
  • UN Member States are prohibited from providing transportation services to North Korea, including leasing, chartering, or providing crew services, providing certification or associated services, or insuring any vessel flagged by North Korea

Sanctions Measures: Cargo Inspection

Pursuant to the UN transportation measures imposed on North Korea, Member States are: 

Required to inspect cargo destined to or originating from North Korea or brokered by North Korea that is within or transiting their territories. This includes items that are being transported on North Korean-flagged aircraft or vessels, transported by rail and by road, as well as the personal luggage and checked baggage of individuals entering into or departing from North Korea that may be used to transport items the supply, sale or transfer of which is prohibited.

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Leasing and Chartering

Prohibited from leasing, chartering their flagged vessels, aircraft or providing crew services to North Korea, designated persons and entities, or any persons or entities who the Member State determines have assisted in sanctions evasions or in violation of the resolutions

Exemptions: paragraph 8 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: Crew Services

Prohibited from procuring vessel and aircraft crewing services from North Korea

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: North Korean Vessel De-registration 

Required to de-register any vessel that is owned or operated by North Korea and not to register any such vessel that is de-registered by another Member State.

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Vessel De-registration 

Required to de-register any vessels they have reasonable grounds to believe were involved in activities or the transport of items prohibited by the relevant resolutions. Member States should not register any such vessel that has been de-registered by another Member State.

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Registration in North Korea

Required to prohibit their nationals, entities and persons within their territory from registering vessels in North Korea, to obtain authorization for a vessel to use the North Korean flag or to charter vessels flagged by North Korea.

Exemptions: paragraph 9 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Sanctions Measures: North Korean Vessel Ownership, Operation, and Related Services

Prohibited from owning, leasing, operating, chartering, or providing vessel classification, certification or associated service and insurance or re-insurance, to any North Korean-flagged, owned, controlled or operated vessel.

Exemptions: paragraph 22 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that the vessel is engaged in activities exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue or exclusively for humanitarian purposes

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Insurance or Re-insurance

Required to prohibit the provision of insurance or re-insurance services to vessels they have reasonable grounds to believe were involved in activities or the transport of items prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

Exemptions: paragraph 11 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that the vessel is engaged in activities exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by North Korean individuals or entities to generate revenue or exclusively for humanitarian purposes

Sanctions Measures: Aircrafts

Required to deny permission to any aircraft to take off from, land in or overfly their territory if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the aircraft contained prohibited items.

Exemptions: paragraph 21 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • In the case of an emergency landing

Sanctions Measures: Ports

Required to deny port entry if they have information that provides reasonable grounds that the vessel is owned, controlled, directly or indirectly, by a designated individual and/or entity.

Exemptions: paragraph 22 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • For inspection
  • Committee determines in advance that such entry is required for humanitarian purposes or any other purposes consistent with the objectives of relevant resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Designation Actions

The Committee, if it has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel(s) are or have been related to prohibited programs or activities, and pursuant to the vessels’ designation, will require any or all of the following actions: de-flagging of the vessel(s) by the Flag State; directing the vessel(s) to a port identified by the Committee (in coordination with the port State) by the Flag State; the prohibition of the vessel(s) entering into ports by Member States; and for the vessel(s) to be subject to assets freeze.    

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2321 (2016)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • Direction by the Committee 

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Designation

The Committee may designate vessels for which it has information indicating they are, or have been, related to activities prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

All Member States are required to prohibit the entry into their ports of such designated vessels.

Exemptions: paragraph 6 of resolution 2375 (2017)
  • In the case of emergency
  • In the case of return to its port of origination
  • Committee determines in advance that such entry is required for humanitarian purposes or any other purposes consistent with the objectives of relevant resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Inspections on the High Seas

Member States are called upon to inspect vessels with the consent of the flag State, on the high seas, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo of such vessels contains items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

All States are called upon to cooperate with inspections and, if the flag State does not consent to inspection on the high seas, decides that the flag State shall direct the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities, and decides further that, if a flag State neither consents to inspection on the high seas nor directs the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection, or if the vessel refuses to comply with flag State direction to permit inspection on the high seas or to proceed to such a port, then the Committee shall consider designating the vessel for the measures imposed in paragraph 8 (d) of resolution 1718 (2006) and paragraph 12 of resolution 2321 (2016) and the flag State shall immediately deregister that vessel provided that such designation has been made by the Committee.

All Member States are required, when it does not receive the cooperation of a flag State of a vessel, to submit promptly to the Committee a report containing relevant details.

Exemptions: paragraph 12 of resolution 2375 (2017)
  • Applies only with respect to the situation in North Korea and shall not affect the rights, obligations, or responsibilities of Member States under international law, including any rights or obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with respect to any other situation
  • This resolution shall not be considered as establishing customary international law

Sanctions Measures: Vessel Inspections at Port

All Member States are required to seize, inspect, and freeze (impound) any vessel in their ports, and may do so with any vessel subject to their jurisdiction in their territorial waters if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was involved in activities, or the transport of items, prohibited by the relevant resolutions.

Exemptions: paragraph 9 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • After six months from the date such vessels were frozen (impounded), this provision shall not apply if the Committee decides, on a case-by-case basis and upon request of a flag State, that adequate arrangements have been made to prevent the vessel from contributing to future violations of these resolutions

Sanctions Measures: Ship-to-Ship Transfers

All Member States are required to prohibit their nationals, persons subject to their jurisdiction, entities incorporated in their territory or subject to their jurisdiction, and vessels flying their flag, from facilitating or engaging in ship-to-ship transfers to or from North Korean-flagged vessels of any goods or items that are being supplied, sold, or transferred to or from North Korea.    

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Information Sharing

All Member States should improve mutual information-sharing on suspected attempts by North Korea to supply, sell, transfer or procure illicit cargo, with support and facilitation by the 1718 Committee and the Panel of Experts.

All Member States are required to notify the Committee of relevant identifying information as well as measures taken to carry out appropriate actions as authorized by the relevant provisions regarding vessels in their territory or on the high seas designated as subject to the assets freeze, the port entry ban or other relevant measures.

Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Statues, New Helicopters and Vessels 

The DPRK is prohibited from supplying, selling, transferring, of statues. 

All Member States are prohibited from procuring statues from the DPRK by their nationals, or by using their flag vessels or aircraft, whether or not originating in the territory of the DPRK. 

Exception: Paragraph 29 of resolution 2321 
  • Unless the Committee approves on a case - by-case basis in advance 

All Member States are required to prevent the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK, of new helicopters, and new and used vessels. 

Exceptions: paragraph 30 of resolution 2321 (2016) and paragraph 14 of resolution 2397 (2017) 
  • Except as approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis

Commodities

UN sanctions target commodities that have direct application in sensitive activities, such as nuclear programs. In other cases, they target commodities of particular interest to the focus of sanctions in order to apply specific pressure on it.

Seafood

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting seafood
  • North Korea is prohibited from selling or transferring its fishing rights

Sanctions Measures: Seafood

Export from North Korea of the following is prohibited:

  • Seafood, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other aquatic invertebrates in all forms
  • Sale or transfer, directly or indirectly, of fishing rights
Exemptions: paragraph 9 of resolution 2371 (2017)
  • For written contracts have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution, all States may allow those shipments to be imported into their territories up to 30 days from the date of adoption of this resolution with notification provided to the Committee containing details on those imports by no later than 45 days after the date of adoption of this resolution

Hydrocarbons

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from importing condensates and natural gas liquids
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing refined petroleum products, including diesel and kerosene, above 500,000 barrels annually
  • North Korea is prohibited from importing crude oil above 525,000 tons, or 4 million barrels, annually
  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting coal

Sanctions Measures: Condensates and Natural Gas Liquids

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Condensates
  • Natural gas liquids
Exemptions: None

Sanctions Measures: Refined Petroleum Products

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Refined petroleum products in excess of the aggregate amount of 500,000 barrels during periods of 12 months beginning on 1 January 2018
Exemptions: paragraph 5 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • The Member State notifies the Committee every thirty days of the amount of such supply, sale, or transfer to the DPRK of refined petroleum products along with information about all the parties to the transaction; AND
  • The supply, sale, or transfer of refined petroleum products involve no individuals or entities that are associated with the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions; AND
  • The supply, sale, or transfer of refined petroleum products are exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to generating revenue for the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions 

Sanctions Measures: Crude Oil

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Crude oil that exceeds the aggregate amounts of 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons per 12-month periods from 22 December 2017
  • Member States are required to report the amount of crude oil provided to the DPRK to the 1718 Committee every 90 days
Exemptions: paragraph 4 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • Committee approves in advance on a case-by-case basis a shipment of crude oil which is exclusively for livelihood purposes of DPRK nationals and unrelated to the DPRK’s nuclear or ballistic missile programs or other activities prohibited by relevant resolutions
  • Crude oil that, for a period of twelve months after the date of adoption of this resolution, and for twelve months periods thereafter, does not exceed 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons in the aggregate per twelve month period

Sanctions Measures: Fuel

Export to North Korea is prohibited for the following: 

  • Aviation fuel, including aviation gasoline
  • Jet fuel, including naptha-type jet fuel, kerosene-type jet fuel
  • Rocket fuel, including kerosene-type rocket fuel
Exemptions: paragraph 31 of resolution 2270 (2016)
  • Committee has approved in advance on an exceptional case-by-case basis the transfer to the DPRK of such products for verified essential humanitarian needs, subject to specified arrangements for effective monitoring of delivery and use
  • Sale or supply of aviation fuel to civilian passenger aircraft outside the DPRK exclusively for consumption during its flight to the DPRK and its return flight

Sanctions Measures: Coal

Import from North Korea is prohibited for the following:

  • Coal
Exemptions: paragraph 8 of resolution 2371 (2017) 
  • State determines that such activity is exclusively for humanitarian purposes or exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by DPRK individuals or entities to generate revenue, and also not related to any activity prohibited by relevant resolutions, provided that the State notifies the Committee in advance of such determination and also informs the Committee of measures taken to prevent the diversion of the item for such other purposes
  • Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that a particular supply, sale or transfer would not be contrary to the objectives of resolutions

Metals and Minerals

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore, copper, nickel, silver, zinc and rare earths

Sanctions Measures: Metal and Mineral Imports

Import from the DPRK of the following is prohibited:

  • coal
  • iron and iron ore
  • gold
  • titanium ore
  • vanadium ore
  • copper
  • nickel
  • silver
  • zinc
  • rare earth minerals
  • lead and lead ore
  • earth and stone (including magnesite and magnesia)

The UN has provided specific HS codes covering some, though not all, of the prohibited items listed above:

  • HS code 25: salt, sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement

Sanctions Measures: Metal and Mineral Exports

Export to the DPRK of iron, steel, and other metals (HS codes 72-83)

  • HS code 72: iron and steel
  • HS code 73: iron or steel articles
  • HS code 74: copper and articles thereof
  • HS code 75: nickel and articles thereof
  • HS code 76: aluminum and articles thereof
  • HS code 77: (reserved for possible future use in HS)
  • HS code 78: lead and articles thereof
  • HS code 79: zinc and articles thereof
  • HS code 80: tin; articles thereof
  • HS code 81: metals; N.E.C., cermets and articles thereof
  • HS code 82: tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks, or base metal; parts thereof, of base metals
  • HS code 83: metal; miscellaneous products of base metal
Exemptions: paragraph 8 of resolution 2371 (2017) – only applicable to coal
  • State determines that such activity is exclusively for humanitarian purposes or exclusively for livelihood purposes which will not be used by DPRK individuals or entities to generate revenue, and also not related to any activity prohibited by relevant resolutions, provided that the State notifies the Committee in advance of such determination and also informs the Committee of measures taken to prevent the diversion of the item for such other purposes
  • Committee has determined on a case-by-case basis that a particular supply, sale or transfer would not be contrary to the objectives of resolutions
Exemptions: paragraph 6 of resolution 2397 (2017)
  • For written contracts have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution, all States may only allow those shipments to be imported into their territories up to 30 days from the date of adoption of this resolution with notification provided to the Committee containing details on those imports by no later than 45 days after the date of adoption of this resolution

Textiles

Legally Binding

  • North Korea is prohibited from exporting textiles

Sanctions Measures: Textile Exports

Export from North Korea of the following is prohibited:

  • Textiles, including but not limited to fabrics and partially or fully completed apparel products
Exemptions: paragraph 16 of resolution 2375 (2017)
  • Committee approves on a case-by-case basis in advance
  • For written contracts that have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution, all States may allow those shipments to be imported into their territories up to 90 days from the date of adoption of this resolution with notification provided to the Committee containing details on those imports by no later than 135 days after the date of adoption of this resolution

Lumber

Legally Binding

North Korea is prohibited from exporting lumber

Sanctions Measures: Lumber Exports

  • The DPRK shall not supply, sell or transfer, directly or indirectly, from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag vessels or aircraft, wood.
  • All Member States are prohibited from procuring the commodity or product from the DPRK by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, whether or not originating in the territory of the DPRK.
  • HS Code 44: wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal
Exemptions: None

Luxury Goods

Legally Binding

North Korea is prohibited from importing identified luxury goods

Sanctions Measures: Luxury Good Imports

The UN refers to the definition of "luxury" as: a habitually sumptuous environment or way of life; an elegant appointment or material aid to the achievement of luxury; a non essential item or service that contributes to luxurious living: an indulgence in ornament or convenience beyond the indispensable minimum; a means or source of pleasurable experience or personal satisfaction.

Resolution 2094 prohibits:

  • Jewelry: jewelry with pearls; gems; precious and semi-precious stones (diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds); jewelry of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal)
  • Transportation items: yachts; luxury automobiles (and motor vehicles); automobiles and other motor vehicles to transport people other than public transport (ex. station wagons); racing cars

Resolution 2270 prohibits:

  • Luxury watches: wrist; pocket; and other with a case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal
  • Transportation items: aquatic recreational vehicles (ex. watercraft); snowmobiles (valued greater than USD 2000)
  • Items of lead crystal
  • Recreational sports equipment

Resolution 2321 prohibits:

  • Rugs and tapestry (valued greater than USD 500)
  • Tableware of porcelain or bone china (valued greater than $100)

Proposed basic principles include:

  • All Member States prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of "luxury goods"
  • Care should be taken not to restrict the supply of ordinary civilian use goods to the wider population of the DPRK not have a negative humanitarian impact on the country
  • Remain in the sovereign discretion and national responsibility of each Member State to determine for itself how best to reflect these objectives in its domestic legislation and regulation
  • To implement controls on additional "luxury goods" in a coherent and harmonized manner, Member States are encouraged to take into account their own national characteristics as well as of other Member States
  • Member States are required to submit reports containing relevant details to the Committee on the inspection, seizure and disposal of "luxury goods"

Important factors to consider when defining "luxury goods:"

  • Whether the goods are affordable and are intended for the use of the general population of DPRK
  • Whether the goods are specially designed, manufactured, or otherwise associated with brands whose names are known for premium goods for a select group of the population
  • Whether the goods have special features, durability, or functionality beyond those for which a given category of items are normally made and thus considered as high end in that category
  • Whether the goods are essential for the general population’s basic needs, health and well being
Exemptions: None

Advisories & Guidance

Advisories and guidance issued by regulatory authorities concerning North Korea sanctions. Regulators around the world have issued advisories and other guidance to highlight the sanctions evasions tactics employed by North Korea and aid industry in implementing appropriate controls. 

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

February 21, 2020: High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action

  • "The FATF remains concerned by the DPRK’s failure to address the significant deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and the serious threats they pose to the integrity of the international financial system. The FATF urges the DPRK to immediately and meaningfully address its AML/CFT deficiencies. Further, the FATF has serious concerns with the threat posed by the DPRK’s illicit activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and its financing."
  • "The FATF reaffirms its 25 February 2011 call on its members and urges all jurisdictions to advise their financial institutions to give special attention to business relationships and transactions with the DPRK, including DPRK companies, financial institutions, and those acting on their behalf. In addition to enhanced scrutiny, the FATF further calls on its members and urges all jurisdictions to apply effective counter-measures, and targeted financial sanctions in accordance with applicable United Nations Security Council Resolutions, to protect their financial sectors from money laundering, financing of terrorism and WMD proliferation financing (ML/TF/PF) risks emanating from the DPRK. Jurisdictions should take necessary measures to close existing branches, subsidiaries and representative offices of DPRK banks within their territories and terminate correspondent relationships with DPRK banks, where required by relevant UNSC resolutions."

 

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

March 5, 2019: Deceptive Shipping Practices Employed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

  • "The Maritime Safety Committee, at its 100th session (3 to 7 December 2018), received a report of deceptive shipping practices employed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea intended to evade sanctions contained in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. These deceptive shipping practices include disabling or manipulating ships' Automatic Identification Systems to mask the ships' full movement history; physically altering ships' names and IMO numbers in an attempt to obscure their identities and pass themselves off as different vessels; falsifying vessel and cargo documents to obscure the origin or destination of cargo; and transferring prohibited cargo at sea to conceal the origin or destination of prohibited crude oil, refined petroleum, and coal by creating the appearance of legitimate transfers."

 

United Kingdom

March 1, 2018: North Korea: proliferation and compliance challenges

  • Understand "geographic exposure to countries and trade hubs that are closest to North Korea. Regional trade hubs provide ideal operating environments for those seeking to evade sanctions, given the high volume of legitimate trade that illicit activity can hide in and their geographical proximity to North Korea."
  • "DPRK uses extensive networks of front or ‘shell’ companies to mask its illicit activity. There is evidence that sectors as far-ranging as textiles and fisheries are often used as fronts, as well as the more widely-publicised coal exporters. These companies may not have an on-line presence – a potential red flag."

 

United States

May 16, 2022: Guidance on the Democratic Republic of Korea Information Technology Workers

  • The DPRK dispatches thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world to generate revenue that contributes to its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs, in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions
  • All DPRK IT workers earn money to support North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime. The vast majority of them are subordinate to and working on behalf of entities directly involved in the DPRK’s UN-prohibited WMD and ballistic missile programs, as well as its advanced conventional weapons development and trade sectors. This results in revenue generated by these DPRK IT workers being used by the DPRK to develop its WMD and ballistic programs, in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions. Many of these entities have been designated for sanctions by the UN and United States. 

September 1, 2020: North Korea Ballistic Missile Procurement Advisory

  • "North Korea relies on foreign-sourced ballistic missile-related components that it cannot produce domestically. To obtain these components, North Korea uses an extensive overseas network of procurement agents, including officials who operate from North Korean diplomatic missions or trade offices, as well as third-country nationals and foreign companies."
  • "North Korea also uses, and collaborates with foreign-incorporated companies, such as Chinese and Russian entities, to acquire foreign-sourced basic commercial components. These entities will purchase items and consolidate and repackage them for onward shipment to North Korea, concealing the true end-user from the manufacturers and distributors of the items. Moreover, procurement entities mislabel sensitive goods in export documentation, falsely declaring specialized materials to instead be general-purpose items that are widely commercially available."

May 14, 2020: Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasions Practices

  • "This advisory discusses sanctions risks and contains information on common deceptive shipping practices and general approaches to aid in further tailoring due diligence and sanctions compliance policies and procedures. It is intended primarily to provide guidance to the following: ship owners, managers, operators, brokers, ship chandlers, flag registries, port operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, classification service providers, commodity traders, insurance companies, and financial institutions."
  • "This advisory includes both updated information on the deceptive practices used to evade sanctions and policies and procedures that entities operating in the specific maritime sectors enumerated above may wish to consider adopting as part of a risk-based sanctions compliance program."

April 15, 2020: Guidance on North Korea Cyber Threats

  • "Under the pressure of robust U.S. and UN sanctions, the DPRK has increasingly relied on illicit activities – including cybercrime – to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs."
  • "The DPRK has the capability to conduct disruptive or destructive cyber activities affecting U.S. critical infrastructure. The DPRK also uses cyber capabilities to steal from financial institutions, and has demonstrated a pattern of disruptive and harmful cyber activity that is wholly inconsistent with the growing international consensus on what constitutes responsible State behavior in cyberspace."

March 21, 2019: Updated Guidance on Addressing North Korea's Illicit Shipping Practices

  • "Provides specific guidance for UN Member States and relevant industry actors on best practices to avoid engaging in North Korea-related illicit activities."
  • List of vessels that are believed to have exported refined petroleum with North Korea or exported North Korean-origin coal.

July 23, 2018: Risks for Businesses with Supply Chain Links to North Korea

  • "Multiple U.S. and UN sanctions impose restrictions on trade with North Korea and the use of North Korean labor. 1 The two primary risks are: (1) inadvertent sourcing of goods, services, or technology from North Korea; and (2) the presence of North Korean citizens or nationals in companies’ supply chains, whose labor generates revenue for the North Korean government. This advisory also provides due diligence references for businesses."

February 23, 2018: Sanctions Risks Related to North Korea's Shipping Practices

  • "The North Korean shipping industry is a primary means by which North Korea evades sanctions to fund its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. As such, the United States will continue targeting persons, wherever located, who facilitate North Korea’s illicit shipping practices."
  • The advisory provides an overview of UN and US sanctions relevant to the shipping industry and a list of North Korean vessels capable of engaging in ship-to-ship transfers.

February 23, 2018: North Korean Vessels

  • Examples of deceptive North Korean shipping practices

November 2, 2017: Advisory on North Korea’s Use of the International Financial System

  • Although international sanctions have significantly isolated North Korean banks, the North Korean government continues to use state-owned entities and banks, as well as bulk-cash smuggling and trade, to access the international financial system. Such access occurs through aliases, agents, and individuals in strategic jurisdictions, as well as through long-standing networks of front or shell companies and embassy personnel. North Korea’s illicit financial activity supports, among other things, its proliferation of WMD-related technology and missile systems as well as conventional weapons programs.

 

Canada

December 12, 2017: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Use of the International Financial System for Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing

  • North Korean entities and individuals have made use of front and shell companies in various jurisdictions to mask their involvement in the international financial system
  • North Korean entities and individuals have been observed using particular jurisdictions from which to access the international financial system. While the jurisdictions discussed below are not an exhaustive list, transactions to or from these areas, in combination with other indicators, should be considered when deciding to report a suspicious transaction report

Sanctions Evasion Methods

Common sanctions evasion methods and typologies employed to facilitate the North Korean government 

Identifier and AIS manipulation

  • Vessels transmitting falsified or inconsistent identifiers on Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and reporting false destinations
  • Vessels trading in restricted or banned commodities and exhibiting AIS transmission gaps while sailing in and around waters where illicit ship-to-ship activities typically occur
  • Vessels are observed to lose their AIS signal while sailing
    towards DPRK waters and re-transmit once back in external waters
  • Complicit actors falsify shipping documentation to conceal cargo’s origin or destination

Flagging

  • Continuing to use a country’s flag following removal from a registry, or flown a flag without proper authorization
  • Some formerly foreign-flagged vessels have been reported to join the DPRK’s fleet

Fuel supply chain

  • Foreign-flagged tankers associated with illicit shipments to the DPRK have been observed operating outside of identified affected waters exhibiting uneconomical sailing behavior and AIS transmission gaps that suggest possible illicit ship-to-ship transfers or loading at ports

Owners, operators and managers

  • Complicit actors have been known to not submit owner and management information on commercial maritime platforms or may be listed as undisclosed interests in the vessel’s onward sale
  • Layered ownership and management structures, use of front companies and shell companies, and engaging multiple intermediaries removed from the actual owner
  • Commercial relationships, linkages, or shared corporate secretary addresses between a vessel’s historical and current owners and / or managers, sometimes with DPRK-related shipping networks
  • Vessels’ management companies manage(d) other vessels with similar risk profiles. Vessels’ registered owners may be incorporated in a variety of jurisdictions but typically list operational or businesses addresses in East Asia and in Southeast Asia. 

Deliveries of banned commodities on self-propelled barges

  • Since May 2019, self-propelled barges of Chinese origin have been engaged in loading coal from Nampo and Taean, DPRK. These barges directly delivered to three ports in Hangzhou Bay, China. From May to August 2019, at least 540,000 tons of coal originating in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was delivered in 47 shipments. At least 37 different barges of Chinese origin were involved in exporting coal originating in the DPRK from May to September 2019.

Additional locations of ship-to-ship transfers of coal

  • Areas of ship-to-ship transfers by DPRK tankers include East China Sea, Yellow Sea, and the Japan Sea
  • Ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Tonkin have decreased substantially in favor of increased deliveries to the Ningbo-Zhoushan and Lianyungang port areas in China

Use of larger bulk carriers

  • Transfer of coal originating in the DPRK from vessels sailing under that country’s flag to larger foreign-flagged bulk carriers for delivery, rather than to smaller, lighter vessels

Vessel intended for scrap purchased to export illicit coal

  • Vessels being acquired by new owners before transporting sanctioned cargo directly from the DPRK

Export of sand originating in the DPRK

  • According to a Member State, a substantial sand-export operation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to China has been carried out since May 2019, with over 100 illicit shipments of sand originating in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Chinese-flagged and other foreign-flagged vessels were reported to have been loading sand in or near Haeju, Hwanghae Province, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and in the Sinchang Workers’ District, Pukchong County, South Hamgyong Province, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. According to the Member State, these shipments involved at least one million tons of sand and were worth at least $22 million.

Fishing rights transfer

  • Chinese fishing vessels displaying fishing permit number plates of the DPRK or with documents or interim certificates of registry of the DPRK

Resolutions

UN Security Council Resolutions pertaining to North Korea

March 23, 2023

S/RES/2680

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 30, 2024

March 25, 2022

S/RES/2627

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 30, 2023

March 26, 2021

S/RES/2569

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 20, 2022

March 30, 2020

S/RES/2515 (2020)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 30, 2021

 

April 10, 2019

S/RES/2464 (2019)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 24, 2020

March 21, 2018

S/RES/2407 (2018)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 24, 2019

 

December 22, 2017

S/RES/2397 (2017)

  • Strengthens the measures regarding the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of all refined petroleum products, including diesel and kerosene, with very specific preconditions and follow-up actions required by Member States, the 1718 Committee and the Committee Secretary. Reduces the allowed maximum aggregate amount for 12 months beginning on 1 January 2018 to 500,000 barrels (and twelve-month periods thereafter);
  • Introduces a limit of 4 million barrels or 525,000 tons in the aggregate amount per a twelve-month period as of 22 December 2017 allowed for the supply, sale or transfer of crude oil by Member States to the DPRK. Member States are required to report the amount of crude oil provided to the DPRK to the 1718 Committee every 90 days;
  • Expands sectoral sanctions by introducing a ban on DPRK’s export of food and agricultural products, machinery, electrical equipment, earth and stone including magnesite and magnesia, wood and vessels. The resolution also prohibits the DPRK from selling or transferring fishing rights;
  • Introduces a ban on the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of all industrial machinery, transportation vehicles, iron, steel and other metals with the exception of spare parts to maintain DPRK commercial civilian passenger aircraft currently in use;
  • Strengthens the ban on providing work authorizations for DPRK nationals by requiring Member States to repatriate all DRPK nationals earning income and all DPRK government safety oversight attachés monitoring DPRK workers abroad within their jurisdiction within 24 months from 22 December 2017. Member States are required to submit a midterm report after 15 months from 22 December and a final report after 27 months from 22 December to the Committee of all DPRK nationals that were repatriated based on this provision;
  • Strengthens maritime measures to address the DPRK’s illicit exports of coal and other prohibited items as well as illicit imports of petroleum through deceptive maritime practices by requiring Member States to seize, inspect and freeze any vessel in their ports and territorial waters for involvement in prohibited activities. The provision ceases to apply if the Committee decides, on a case-by-case basis, after six months of impounding a vessel that adequate arrangements have been made to prevent future violations of the relevant resolutions;
  • Strengthens vessel-related provisions by prohibiting the provision of insurance or re-insurance services to and requiring Member States to de-register any vessels involved in illicit activities. The resolution further prohibits Member States from providing classification services to such vessels and expands the ban on the supply, sale or transfer of vessels to the DPRK to also include used vessels;
  • Decides that Member States should improve mutual information-sharing on suspected attempts by the DPRK to supply, sell, transfer or procure illicit cargo, and tasks the Committee, with the support of the Panel of Experts, to facilitate timely coordination. The resolution also introduces a requirement for Member States to notify the Committee of relevant identifying information as well as measures taken to carry out appropriate actions as authorized by the relevant provisions with regard to vessels in their territory or on the high seas designated as subject to the assets freeze, the port entry ban or other relevant measures;
  • Clarifies that no provision in the resolution applies to the existing Russia-DPRK Rajin-Khasan port and rail project for solely exporting Russia-origin coal to other countries;
  • Designates an additional 16 individuals and one entity.

September 11, 2017

S/RES/2375 (2017)

  • Introduces a full ban on the supply, sale or transfer of all condensates and natural gas liquids to the DPRK;
  • Introduces a limit for all refined petroleum products in terms of the amount allowed (for supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK) with very specific preconditions and follow-up action required by Member States, the 1718 Committee and the Committee Secretary;
  • Introduces restrictions on the supply, sale or transfer of crude oil to the DPRK in any period of 12 months after the adoption of the resolution in the amount that is in excess of the amount Member States supplied in the period of 12 months prior to the adoption of the resolution (11 September 2017);
  • Introduces a ban on the export by the DPRK of textiles (including fabrics and partially or fully completed apparel products);
  • Introduces a ban on Member States from providing work authorizations for DPRK nationals, other than those for which written contracts have been finalized prior to the adoption of this resolution (11 September 2017);
  • Expands financial sanctions by prohibiting all joint ventures or cooperative entities or expanding existing joint ventures  with DPRK entities or individuals;
  • Directs the 1718 Committee to designate vessels transporting prohibited items from the DPRK;
  • Introduces  further clarifications with regard to the call on Member States to inspect vessels with the consent of the flag State, on the high seas, if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo of such vessels contain prohibited items, including specific obligations of the flag State and Member State requirement to report to the Committee of non-cooperation by a flag State;
  • Directs the 1718 Committee to designate additional WMD-related and conventional arms-related items;
  • Designates one additional individual and three entities.

August 5, 2017

S/RES/2371 (2017)

  • Introduces a full ban on coal, iron and iron ore, and adds lead and lead ore to the banned commodities subject to sectoral sanctions.
  • Authorizes the 1718 Committee to designate vessels related to activities prohibited by relevant resolutions, and prohibits port calls by designated vessels and chartering of DPRK flagged vessels.
  • Bans the hiring and paying of additional DPRK laborers used to generate foreign export earnings.
  • Prohibits the export by the DPRK of seafood (including fish, crustaceans, mollusks and other aquatic invertebrates in all forms).
  • Expands financial sanctions by prohibiting new or expanded joint ventures and cooperative commercial entities with the DPRK and clarifies that companies performing financial services are considered financial institutions for the purpose of implementing the relevant sanctions measures, and that paragraph 11 of resolution 2094 (2013) also applies to clearing funds through Member States’ territories.
  • Prohibits the deployment and use of chemical weapons and calls for DPRK’s accession to the CWC.
  • Directs the 1718 Committee to develop appropriate arrangements with INTERPOL to issue Special Notices.
  • Directs the 1718 Committee to designate additional WMD-related and conventional arms-related items.
  • Designates additional 9 individuals and 4 entities and provides updated information on 2 previously designated individuals.

June 2, 2017

S/RES/2356 (2017)

  • Designates additional 14 individuals and 4 entities

March 23, 2017

S/RES/2345 (2017)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 24, 2018

November 30, 2016

S/RES/2321(2016)

  • Expands arms embargo to the items listed in a new conventional arms dual-use list (which is to be adopted by the 1718 Committee).
  • Expands cargo inspection by clarifying certain personal and/or checked baggage entering into or departing from the DPRK as “cargo” which is subject to inspection, and by noting that cargo being transported by rail and by road is also subject to inspection.
  • Strengthens maritime transport related provisions by prohibiting the following activities: all leasing, chartering or provision of crew services to the DPRK; registering vessels in the DPRK; obtaining authorization for a vessel to use the DPRK’s flag; owning, leasing, operating, providing any vessel classification, certification or associated service or insuring any vessel flagged by the DPRK. Additionally, prohibits the provision of insurance or re-insurance services to vessels owned, controlled or operated by the DPRK. Exemptions are available if approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis.
  • Introduces procedures to designate vessels based on reasonable grounds that the vessels are or have been related to prohibited programs or activities.
  • Prohibits the supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK new helicopters and vessels (except as approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis).
  • Overhauls and expands sectoral sanctions by placing an annual cap on the amount/value of coal exports by the DPRK and introducing a real-time system on reporting and monitoring these exports.  Adds copper, nickel, silver and zinc to the materials banned from supplying, selling or transferring by the DPRK and prohibits their procurement and/or transfer by Member States Calls on Member States to provide no more fuel to DPRK-flagged civil passenger aircraft than necessary (for the relevant flight) and includes a standard margin for safety of flight.
  • Adds new items to the luxury goods ban.
  • Strengthens the proliferation network related measures by requiring Member States to reduce the number of staff at DPRK diplomatic missions and consular posts and limit the number of bank accounts to one per DPRK diplomatic mission or consular posts and one per DPRK diplomat and consular officer. Imposes entry and transit restrictions for DPRK government officials, members of the DPRK armed forces, or members/officials which are associated with prohibited programs or activities. Bans any use of real property in Member States’ territories for purposes other than diplomatic or consular activities. Strengthens financial measures, including by requesting closure of existing representative offices, subsidiaries or banking accounts in the DPRK within ninety days; prohibiting public and private financial support for trade with the DPRK; expelling individuals who are believed to be working on behalf of or at the direction of a DPRK bank or financial institution; Exemptions are available if approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis.
  • Clarifies the restrictions on specialized teaching and training to include but is not limited to advanced materials science, advanced chemical engineering, advanced mechanical engineering, advanced electrical engineering and advanced industrial engineering.
  • Requires the suspension of scientific and technical cooperation with exemption procedures requiring Committee approval and notification in certain areas respectively.
  • Prohibits the DPRK from supplying, selling or transferring statues and Member States from procuring such items (unless approved in advance by the Committee on a case-by-case basis).
  • Designates additional 11 individuals and 10 entities.

March 24, 2016

S/RES/2276 (2016)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 24, 2017.

March 2, 2016

S/RES/2270(2016)

  • Expands arms embargo and non-proliferation measures, including small arms and light weapons, catch-all provisions to ban any item if related to prohibited programs, dual-use nuclear/missile items, and operational capabilities of DPRK’s and another Member States’ armed forces.
  • Enforces new cargo inspection and maritime procedures, including mandatory inspection on cargo destined to and originating from the DPRK; ban on DPRK chartering of vessels and aircraft; ban on operating DPRK vessels or using DPRK flags; ban on flights (of any plane) or port calls (of any vessel) if related to prohibited items, prohibited activities, and designated persons or entities.
  • Expands financial measures, including an assets freeze on Government of the DPRK and its Workers’ Party entities associated with prohibited programmes and activities; clarifies that assets freeze includes vessels; prohibits DPRK banks from opening new branches; requires States to close existing DPRK bank branches in their territories; prohibits Member States from opening branches in the DPRK; requires States to close existing offices in the DPRK if related to prohibited programmes or sanctions violations.
  • Enforces sectoral sanctions (coal, minerals and fuel ban) and prohibits its procurement and/or transfer by Member States. Adds new items to the luxury goods ban.
  • Clarifies ban on hosting of DPRK trainers, advisors or other officials for police, paramilitary and military training; Ban on specialized training or teaching for DPRK nationals in specific fields that could contribute to the DPRK’s proliferation-sensitive activities.
  • Requires Member States to expel DPRK diplomats and foreign nationals involved in illicit activities.
  • Designates additional 16 individuals and 12 entities.
  • OMM vessels are subject to the assets freeze. Of the 31 vessels listed in Annex III of resolution 2270 (2016), 4 were removed by the Committee by its decision of 21 March 2016 (Security Council press release SC/12296) and an additional 5 were removed by the Committee by its decision of 17 December 2016 (Security Council press release SC/12636.

March 4, 2015

S/RES/2207 (2015)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 5, 2016.

March 5, 2014

S/RES/2141 (2014)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until April 5, 2015.

March 7, 2013

S/RES/2094 (2013)

  • Imposes targeted financial sanctions; expands the prohibited items list concerning nuclear, ballistic missile and other WMD related items; Provides a non-exhaustive list of prohibited luxury goods.
  • Designates three additional individuals and 2 additional entities; expands designations criteria to include individuals and entities that have contributed to the DPRK’s prohibited programs.
  • Increases the Panel of Experts to eight members; extends its mandate until 7 April 2014.

January 22, 2013

S/RES/2087 (2013)

  • Expands measures related to Member States’ rights to seize and destroy material suspected of being connected to the DPRK’s weapons development or research; expands measures imposed on persons suspected of involvement with the DPRK’s nuclear program. Clarifies methods of material disposal.
  • Clarifies measures related to the catch-all provision.
  • Designates four individuals and 6 entities; expands designation criteria to include entities/individuals that have assisted in the evasion of sanctions or in violation of the resolutions.

June 12, 2012

S/RES/2050 (2012)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until July 12, 2013.

June 10, 2011

S/RES/1985 (2011)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until June 12, 2012

June 7, 2010

S/RES/1928 (2010)

  • Extends the mandate of the Panel of Experts until June 12, 2011

 

June 12, 2009

S/RES/1874 (2009)

  • Expands measures related to arms’ exports and imports to all arms and related material (except import of small arms and light weapons and their related materiel)
  • Calls upon Member States to prevent provision of financial services or transfer of financial resources that could contribute to prohibited programs/activities. States to report on inspections, seizures and disposals, as well as the sale, supply or transfer of small arms or light weapons, among others.
  • Establishes the Panel of Experts to assist the 1718 Committee 

October 14, 2006

S/RES/1718 (2006)

  • Establishes Security Council Sanctions Committee (1718 Committee)
  • Imposes an arms embargo, assets freeze and travel ban on persons involved in the DPRK’s nuclear program, and a ban on a range of imports and exports, to prohibit the DPRK from conducting nuclear tests or launching ballistic missiles

Targeted Sanctions

The 1718 Sanctions List currently contains the names of 80 individuals and 75 entities. 

These individuals and entities were designated between 2009 and 2017. 

Program Timeline

Chronology of UN sanctions imposed on North Korea

Panel of Experts

The Panel of Experts supports the work of the 1718 Sanctions Committee. The Panel is comprised of eight experts and is based in New York City. The Panel of Experts can be contacted via email at: dppa-poe1874@un.org

Reports from the Panel of Experts

As delineated by DPRK Security Council resolutions, the Panel of Experts is mandated to: 

  • Gather, examine and analyze information from States, relevant United Nations bodies and other interested parties regarding the implementation of the measures, and gather, examine and analyze information in particular, on incidents of non-compliance;
  • Make recommendations on actions that the Council, Committee or Member States may consider to improve implementation of the measures.

The following are Reports from the Panel of Experts:

March 7, 2023
September 7, 2022
March 1, 2022
March 4, 2021
August 28, 2020
March 2, 2020
August 30, 2019
March 5, 2019
March 5, 2018
September 5, 2017
February 27, 2017
February 24, 2016
February 23, 2015
March 6, 2014
June 11, 2013
June 14, 2012
November 5, 2010