Security Council extends mandate of UN body dealing with DPR Korea sanctions

The Security Council today voted unanimously to extend for another year the mandate of the expert body dealing with United Nations sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Council also urged all States, relevant UN bodies and other interested parties to furnish the relevant committee with “any information at their disposal on the implementation of the measures imposed by resolution 1718 (2006) and resolution 1874 (2009).”

Resolution 1718, adopted by the Council following Pyongyang’s claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006, imposed sanctions against the country as well as individuals supporting its military programme. It also demanded that DPRK cease its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction.

The Council adopted resolution 1874 in June of last year, imposing a series of measures on the DPRK that include tougher inspections of cargo suspected of containing banned items related to the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile activities, a tighter arms embargo with the exception of light weapons and new financial restrictions.

The 15-member body took this action in the wake of the 25 May 2009 nuclear test conducted in “violation and flagrant disregard” of relevant Council resolutions. The Council condemned that test and demanded that the DPRK “not conduct any further nuclear test or any launch using ballistic missile technology.”

In addition to extending the Panel of Experts until 12 June 2011, the resolution adopted today requested the group to provide the Council with a mid-term report no later than 12 November of this year.