The United States and South Korea have initiated a joint task force to prevent North Korea from acquiring illicit oil, as international sanctions face uncertainty due to a deadlock at the United Nations Security Council. The Enhanced Disruption Task Force (EDTF) convened its first meeting in Washington, gathering over 30 officials from various ministries and agencies responsible for diplomacy, intelligence, sanctions, and maritime interdiction, as stated by South Korea’s foreign ministry.
Discussions at the meeting centered on concerns about potential refined oil supplies from Russia to North Korea and strategies to disrupt illicit cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. Highlighting the critical role of oil in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, the officials underscored the importance of curbing such activities. Under existing UN Security Council restrictions, Pyongyang is restricted to importing 4 million barrels of crude oil and 500,000 barrels of refined products annually.
Amid uncertainties regarding the extension of the mandate for the expert panel monitoring sanctions on North Korea, concerns have been raised about potential disruptions in monitoring illicit activities. The task force is exploring various measures to disrupt North Korea’s refined oil procurement networks, including exposing sanctions violations, imposing unilateral sanctions, and engaging with private sector entities involved in facilitating oil shipments. Additionally, the task force aims to address other areas of sanctions evasion, such as coal sales, in its future endeavors to deter North Korea’s illicit activities.