UN, US, EU and UK sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) were first implemented in 2006 in response to its nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programmes. US and UN sanctions intensified in September 2017 by implementing a comprehensive sanctions package that restricts almost all maritime and commercial activity with North Korea. That maximalist position remains unchanged.
Between 2018-2020, US authorities issued public advisories to raise awareness of the shipping tactics North Korea employs to circumvent sanctions. Members are thus advised to exercise heightened due diligence to ensure they are not engaging in any sanctions-breaching activity with respect to North Korea.
