"Abandoning North Korea's Nuclear Development Through International Cooperation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluated the sequential announcement of independent sanctions against North Korea by South Korea, the United States, and Japan as "demonstrating the strong and unified will of the three countries?South Korea, the U.S., and Japan?to firmly respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile development."
On the 2nd, following the announcement of South Korea's independent sanctions against North Korea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a separate position, "We welcome the independent sanctions announcements by the United States and Japan," adding, "The government has closely cooperated with the U.S. and Japan regarding independent sanctions against North Korea."
It further explained, "It is also meaningful in that countries with similar positions, including South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, designate overlapping and cross-listed targets for independent sanctions, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the sanctions designations."
On the same day, the South Korean government designated an additional eight individuals and seven organizations as sanction targets for contributing to North Korea's nuclear and missile development or involvement in evading sanctions against North Korea. This is the second independent sanctions measure since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Up to this measure, the government has designated 132 individuals and 112 organizations as sanction targets over seven rounds.
The United States also designated three North Korean Workers' Party officials involved in the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles as additional sanction targets on the morning of the same day, Korean time. Japan also added one individual and three organizations involved in North Korea's nuclear and missile development to its sanctions list.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official emphasized, "Our government will continue unwavering efforts to create an environment in which North Korea has no choice but to abandon nuclear development and return to denuclearization negotiations, through close cooperation with allies such as the United States and Japan and the international community."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
