UN Security Council moves to enforce sanctions against North Korea

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unveiled a new set of measures on Friday aimed at enforcing previous sanctions against North Korea, blacklisting a number of ships and companies accused of helping Pyongyang evade sanctions.

In a press release, the UNSC announced the blacklisting of 21 shipping companies and 27 ships whose assets will be frozen for helping the North evade sanctions on coal, oil and other fuels.

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A Taiwanese man, Tsang Yung Yuan, was also blacklisted for coordinating “North Korean coal exports with a North Korean broker operating in a third country,” according to the press release, which also accused Tsang of “other sanctions evasion activities.”

In a statement to The New York Times, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said Friday’s measures were the largest-ever blacklist targeting entities helping the North evade sanctions.

“The approval of this historic sanctions package is a clear sign that the international community is united in our efforts to keep up maximum pressure on the North Korean regime,” Haley said.

The blacklisting comes as President Trump plans to meet with Kim Jong Un, which would be the first such meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting U.S. president.

The Trump administration says North Korea has pledged to halt its controversial missile tests ahead of the planned meeting, the details of which are currently being established by North and South Korean diplomats.