Russia on Thursday vetoed the annual renewal of the UN panel of experts that monitors compliance with sanctions against North Korea.
The panel has recently published a report, in which it appears that they are investigating dozens of suspected cyber attacks from North Korea. The regime is said to have earned three billion dollars from this, which is claimed to go towards the country’s nuclear weapons programme.
According to Reuters, South Korea’s UN ambassador reacts strongly, hinting at the accusations that Russia is importing weapons from North Korea for use in Ukraine.
– This is like destroying a surveillance camera to avoid being caught red-handed, says UN Ambassador Joonkook Hwang, according to the news agency.
According to Reuters, Russia’s UN ambassador Vasilij Nebenzia has spoken critically about the panel.
– The panel plays increasingly on the West’s approach, he says according to Reuters.
Britain’s ambassador to the UN, Barbara Woodward, is also suspicious of Russia.
– The panel’s work to reveal non-compliance with the sanctions was disadvantageous for Russia. But let me be clear: The sanctions regime remains in place, she says according to Reuters.
