US, S. Korean reps mull alternatives to UN panel on sanctions against DPRK

Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul and US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield have discussed proposals to create a mechanism to monitor the implementation of UN sanctions against the DPRK, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Report informs referring to TASS.

The minister and the permanent representative expressed deep disappointment at the blocking of the renewal of the mandate of the panel of experts of the UN sanctions committee against North Korea due to Russia’s use of the veto. They consulted on various proposals to create a new mechanism to monitor the implementation of sanctions against North Korea. Thomas-Greenfield arrived in South Korea on April 14.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry also noted that the parties discussed cooperation between the Republic of Korea, the US and Japan in the UN Security Council, Iran’s strikes on Israel and the situation in Ukraine and Myanmar.

The US permanent representative was also received by minister of defense of the Republic of Korea, Shin Won-sik. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is preparing alternatives to ensure that credible reports of sanctions violations against North Korea continue to be reported, and noted that she was looking forward to working closely with friendly countries, including the Republic of Korea.

Shin Won-sik and Thomas-Greenfield discussed the problem of human rights in the DPRK, cooperation between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo at the UN, as well as the growing “nuclear missile threat” from Pyongyang and violations of UN Security Council resolutions. The US permanent representative will stay in the Republic of Korea until April 17, after which she will head to Japan.