European Union ministers ban all investments and oil exports to North Korea in punishing sanctions
The new steps were taken in view of the “persistent threat to international peace and stability” posed by Kim Jong-un’s regime
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The European Union imposed fresh sanctions on North Korea on Monday as part of international efforts to punish the pariah regime for its nuclear and ballistic weapons programmes.
Foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg signed off a new package of measures including a ban on investments in North Korea and on EU exports of oil to Pyongyang.
The EU said the new steps were taken in view of the “persistent threat to international peace and stability” posed by Kim Jong-un’s regime.
The North carried out its sixth nuclear test – and most powerful to date – on September 3, sparking international outrage and a fresh round of sanctions.
More people and entities associated with Kim Jong-un’s regime have been blacklisted and the ceiling for payments that can be made to North Korea has been cut from €15,000 euros to €5,000.
A total ban on EU investment in North Korea is now in force, along with a complete halt to sales of crude oil and refined petroleum products.
As part of efforts to ensure sanctions are effective, EU members will instruct their embassies in countries seen as a risk of evading North Korean sanctions to deliver formal warnings to comply.
