SEOUL: The United States and South Korea this week launched a new task force aimed at preventing North Korea from procuring illicit oil, as deadlock at the United Nations Security Council casts doubts over the future of international sanctions.
The first meeting of the Enhanced Disruption Task Force (EDTF) was held in Washington on Tuesday.
The meeting involved more than 30 officials from ministries and agencies in charge of diplomacy, intelligence, sanctions, and maritime interdiction, South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The two sides expressed concern over the possibility of Russia providing refined oil to North Korea, and discussed ways to suspend illegal cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the statement added. “Oil is an essential resource for North Korea’s nuclear and missile development and military posture,” the statement said. Under UNSC restrictions imposed over North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs, Pyongyang is limited to importing 4 million barrels of crude and 500,000 barrels of refined products a year. –Agencies
