Adoption of further sanctions against North Korea

Background and further information:

The decision to adopt further sanctions aims to complement and reinforce those applied by the United Nations' Security Council.

The sanctions include a total ban on EU investment in the DPRK, in all sectors; a total ban on the sale of refined petroleum products and crude oil to the country - already under limitations by a UNSC resolution from September 2017; lowering the amount of personal remittances transferred to the DPRK from €15,000 to €5,000.

Member states also agreed not to renew work authorisations for DPRK nationals present on their territory, except for refugees and other persons benefiting from international protection. The Council also added three persons and six entities supporting the illicit programmes to the lists of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions.

Ministers also agreed to actively lobby for a robust implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions by all UN member states.

These decisions were formally taken during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 16 October 2017.

The Council of the European Union held on 16 October 2017 a discussion on the situation in the Korean peninsula and in particular the defiant and aggressive behaviour by North Korea.

As a result of its assessment, the Council decided to adopt further restrictive measures against the country.

ESO In Focus: European reaction to nuclear test conducted by North Korea, September 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-reaction-to-nuclear-test-conducted-by-north-korea/

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