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Russian envoy blocks publication of UN report critical of North Korea

Friday, 31 August 2018 1:30 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 31 August 2018 2:42 PM ]

The file photo shows a meeting of the United Nations Security Council at the UN Headquarters on July 24, 2018 in New York City. (AFP)

Russia has delayed the publication of a report on North Korea by a United Nations Security Council panel, disputing some elements in the official paper.

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said on Thursday that Moscow had objected to “certain elements of the report.”

“We put on hold the report of 1718 Committee because we disagree with certain elements of the report, with the conduit of the business itself," Nebenzia said at a news conference at the UN headquarters in New York.

Karen Pierce, the British envoy to the UN, who holds the rotating presidency of the Council, said the independent panel behind the report would convene on Friday and try to resolve the disputed elements in the report. Pierce, who emphasized the importance of publishing the North Korea report, said the panel would try to “elicit” the segments of the report that have raised the Russians' concern. "The overriding point is that we must have that report published. It must go to the UN membership. The Council has been very strong on enforcing DPRK sanctions and getting this report out and implemented is the next step in enforcing the sanctions."

North Korea is already grappling with several rounds of UN sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Harsh UN sanctions target the country's exports and imports, leaving a negative impact on the people's livelihood.

Moscow has been in favor of removing sanctions against North Korea in light of a recent agreement reached between Pyongyang and Washington.

PressTV-Russia urges removal of North Korea sanctions

Russia’s Foreign Ministry calls for a swift removal of all unilateral sanctions against North Korea.

On June 12, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a comprehensive document following a historic summit between the two in Singapore.

According to the document, North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to working “towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

However, both sides have complained that the road to peace has been bumpy and progress is slow.

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