New N. Korea sanctions
Seoul unveiled new sanctions against North Korea Friday following the adoption of a U.N. resolution condemning Pyongyang’s fifth and most powerful nuclear test in September.
It is particularly noteworthy that the sanctions blacklist some of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s closest aides. They include Choe Ryong-hae, a vice chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party; and director of the military’s general political bureau Hwang Pyong-so, a vice marshal.
Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Development, a Chinese firm, and its executives are also on the list — the first time a foreign firm has been subject to Korea’s sanctions for dealing with North Korea.
Sixty-nine organizations, including the Workers’ Party and the State Affairs Commission, and 79 individuals will be subject to punitive measures in connection with Pyongyang’s nuclear activities. The U.S. and China are also expected to announce fresh sanctions soon.
Shortly after the adoption of the U.N. resolution, which caps Pyongyang’s annual coal exports, Pyongyang conducted a large-scale artillery drill simulating an attack on Seoul.
Korea’s new sanctions come amid high uncertainty, with the nation’s commander-in-chief unable to function properly due to a political crisis that has led to an impeachment push by opposition parties.
The President is struggling with political survival, but the government should maintain its focus on security issues and North Korea affairs. The relevant ministries should keep cooperating closely with the U.S., China and Japan and the rest of the international community on ways to curb North Korea’s nuclear program. Seoul should show leadership in ensuring that multilateral and unilateral sanctions are properly implemented.
The government should also be alert about changes that may occur in North Korea’s regime under the Trump administration in the U.S. There is speculation that the North Korean leader may show an intention to communicate with the new U.S. president. Seoul should prepare to deal with various scenarios so that its security situation will not be undermined by a power transition in the U.S.