Sentry Contributor
In a significant move to enhance the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, Japan, South Korea and the United States have announced the formation of a new multinational team. The initiative, unveiled in October 2024, aims to fill the gap created by the disbandment of the United Nations’ panel of experts earlier in 2024 due to a Russian veto.
The new body, known as the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), includes participation from 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The MSMT’s primary objective is to monitor and report on violations of U.N. sanctions imposed on North Korea in response to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The establishment of the MSMT comes after Russia and the People’s Republic of China blocked the renewal of the U.N. panel that had overseen sanctions enforcement for the past 15 years. This veto left a critical gap in the international community’s ability to monitor North Korea’s compliance with sanctions. “There have been many discussions about how to build an effective monitoring system that can replace the U.N. panel,” said South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized the importance of the new team, stating, “The potential for this to be a major effort in tracking and holding to account steps that North Korea is taking across a range of provocative actions is real.” Campbell also noted that Russia’s veto was likely influenced by the U.N. panel’s previous reports on Russia’s illegal procurement of military equipment from North Korea for its war in Ukraine.
The MSMT will continue the work of the former U.N. panel, including issuing regular reports on sanctions enforcement. This new mechanism is designed to be more effective, free from the political interference that hampered the U.N. panel’s efforts. “The team is open to all countries that are willing to help ensure the implementation of sanctions,” Kim added.
Officials launched the MSMT at a joint news conference in Seoul, attended by representatives from the participating countries. The initiative underscores the commitment of these nations to uphold international peace and security and to address the threat posed by North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
It also shows the commitment of Allies to work together on issues that threaten global security, including nuclear proliferation and deterrence.
The MSMT will also focus on targeting individuals and entities that enable North Korea to evade sanctions. This includes tracking illicit financial transactions and the smuggling of prohibited goods. By identifying and sanctioning these actors, the MSMT hopes to disrupt North Korea’s ability to fund its weapons programs.
“This is a big step in the right direction,” Campbell said. The team will work closely with other international organizations and governments to ensure a coordinated approach to sanctions enforcement. The MSMT represents a concerted effort by like-minded countries to hold North Korea accountable for its actions. The team will provide regular updates on its activities and findings, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.