Ease N. Korea curbs: China, Russia

Pompeo defends sanctions, says there should be no let- up in pressure

◗ Steps by the DPRK toward gradual disarmament should be followed by an easing of sanctions,” said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov

China and Russia called Thursday for an easing of sanctions against North Korea, rejecting a US call at the UN Security Council to press on with vigorous enforcement despite a dip in tensions.

Led by the United States, the Security Council adopted three sanctions resolutions last year aimed at depriving North Korea of revenue for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told a council meeting that the thaw in relations between North and South Korea — combined with warmer USNorth Korean ties — should lead to sanctions relief. “Given the positive developments,” Wang said the council should consider a provision to “modify the sanctions measures in light of the DPRK’s compliance.”

Russia backed China’s call to consider a sanctions review. Declaring that sanctions should not become a form of “collective punishment,” Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov argued that it was time to send a positive signal to Pyongyang to encourage concessions. “Steps by the DPRK toward gradual disarmament should be followed by an easing of sanctions,” said Lavrov.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opened the meeting, held during the annual UN General Assembly session, by demanding strict enforcement of sanctions.

Pompeo — who will pay his fourth visit to Pyongyang next month — voiced hope for the “dawn of a new day” with Pyongyang, but credited sanctions with bringing North Korea to the table and said there should be no let- up in pressure.

“Enforcement of UN Security Council sanctions must continue vigorously and without fail until we realize final, fully verified denuclearization,” Pompeo said.

“The members of this Council must set the example on that effort, and we must all hold each other accountable.”

In thinly veiled criticism of China, which is by far the most important trading partner of North Korea, Pompeo said sanctions have been repeatedly violated — including, this year already, its annual cap of importing 500,000 barrels of oil.

Pompeo said the United States had also detected inter- ship transfers of refined petroleum, which is also banned under UN sanctions, and said that North Korea was illegally exporting coal to fund its weapons program.