The Hong-Kong Marine Department issued a Shipping Note to inform operators about the adoption of UN Security Council sanction measures against North Korea and advise them to take these measures into account when conducting and planning their business.
These UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) were implemented on 2 March 2016, 30 November 2016, 5 August 2017, 11 September 2017 and 22 December 2017 respectively.
The March 2016 resolution expanded arms embargo and non-proliferation measures, including small arms and light weapons, catch-all provisions to ban any item if related to prohibited programmes, dual-use nuclear/missile items, and operational capabilities of North Korea’s and another Member States’ armed forces, while in November of the same year, it expanded the embargo with new resolution.
The August 2017 resolution introduced a full ban on coal, iron and iron ore, and added lead and lead ore to the banned commodities subject to sectoral sanctions. In September’s resolution, the UN introduced a full ban on the supply, sale or transfer of all condensates and natural gas liquids to North Korea, while in December, it further strengthened these measures.
“You are advised to take the sanction measures into account when conducting and planning your business. If you are in doubt about any of the sanction measures in the UNSCRs and their effect on your organization’s activities, you may find it prudent to seek legal advice,” the official statement by Hong Kong Marine Department read.
The UN Resolutions on North Korea may be found here.
