US warns Russia, others on enforcing North Korea sanctions

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today warned Russia, China and other countries against any violation of international sanctions on North Korea that could reduce pressure on the North to abandon its nuclear weapons.

Pompeo's comments came on the heels of a new United Nations report that found North Korea has not stopped its nuclear and missile programs and is violating UN sanctions, including through illicit ship-to-ship transfers of oil.

Speaking on the sidelines of an Asian security forum in Singapore, Pompeo told reporters that the US has new, credible reports that Russia is violating UN sanctions by allowing joint ventures with North Korean companies and issuing new permits for North Korean guest workers.

He said Washington would take "very seriously" any violations, and called for them to be roundly condemned and reversed.

"If these reports prove accurate, and we have every reason to believe that they are, that would be in violation," Pompeo said, noting that the UN Security Council had voted unanimously in favour of the sanctions.

"I want to remind every nation that has supported these resolutions that this is a serious issue and something we will discuss with Moscow. We expect the Russians and all countries to abide to the UN Security Council resolutions and enforce sanctions on North Korea," he said.

"Any violation that detracts from the world's goal of finally, fully denuclearising North Korea would be something that America would take very seriously."
Late yesterday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley raised the alarm, saying that "talk is cheap."
"The ultimate timeline for denuclearisation will be set by Chairman Kim, at least in part," he said. "The decision is his."
He recalled that Kim had committed to denuclearisation at the historic summit with Trump on June 12 in Singapore and that both sides "have been working since then to develop the process through which that will be achieved."
"The process of achieving denuclearization of the Korean peninsula is one that I think we have all known will take some time," Pompeo said, adding later: "I am optimistic that we will get this done in a timeline and the world will celebrate what the UN Security Council has demanded."