MOSCOW, Dec 17: Russia has complied with the United Nations Security Council resolution prohibiting the hiring of North Korean workers, and do not violate other international sanctions against Pyongyang, Director of the Department of International Organizations of the Russian Foreign Ministry Pyotr Ilyichev told Sputnik.
“In accordance with the UN Security Council sanctioning resolutions, all states were ordered to repatriate by December 22, 2019 those citizens of North Korea who worked and received income in their jurisdiction. Most of the North Korean workers in Russia then left [the country],” Ilyichev said.
The diplomat clarified that some North Koreans had to stay in Russia for a while due to various reasons, but since they stopped receiving income in Russian jurisdiction, Moscow assumes that its obligations were fulfilled.
He also said that Russia is in contact with UN experts who are monitoring possible violations of sanctions against Pyongyang, proving to them that Moscow does not violate any UN resolutions.
“At the same time, we firmly intend to continue to develop traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with North Korea in areas that are not subject to restrictions,” Ilyichev said.
He added that Russia takes its international obligations responsibly, while rumors that contradict reality are spread by unfriendly countries.
In October, following the top-level Russian-North Korean meeting, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that North Korea allegedly provided military equipment and munitions to Russia to use in Ukraine. The foreign ministers of the United States, Japan and South Korea said their countries were following closely the alleged movement of military supplies between Russia and North Korea with the goal of “exposing” violations of relevant UN Security Council resolutions by the two countries. Moscow has rejected the allegations.
In December 2017, the UN Security Council introduced new international sanctions against North Korea, which became the toughest ever. The resolution received the number 2379. In particular, the sanctions apply not only to North Korea’s exports and imports, but also require third countries to abandon North Korean labor.(UNI)
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