U. S. Pushes for UN Action on Ships Breaking North Korea Rules

The United States is preparing to ask the United Nations Security Council to penalize seven ships. These ships are accused of breaking UN rules by shipping North Korean coal and iron ore to China. This trade brings in a lot of money for North Korea each year, between $200 million and $400 million. A spokesperson from the U. S. State Department emphasized that these actions are serious. They are not just routine procedures. The goal is to hold violators accountable and stop the funding of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. However, getting approval from the Security Council might be tough. The council works by consensus, and North Korea's allies, Russia and China, might not agree. Both countries have been pushing to ease sanctions to encourage North Korea back to denuclearization talks. North Korea has been under UN sanctions since 2006 due to its nuclear and missile programs. These sanctions include bans on exporting coal, iron, lead, textiles, and seafood. They also limit imports of oil and petroleum products. If the Security Council approves, the ships could face an asset freeze, port bans, and even lose their registration. The U. S. has been hinting at this move for months, but the timing remains unclear. Despite efforts from U. S. President Donald Trump to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has continued to advance its military capabilities. The State Department spokesperson warned that without consequences, sanctions could become ineffective, allowing threats like North Korea's nuclear and missile programs to grow unchecked.