NEW YORK: Russia on Thursday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to extend for one year the mandate of an expert panel to check the implementation of international sanctions against North Korea.

Of the remaining 14 members of the council, 13 including Japan, the United States and South Korea voted for the resolution, while China abstained. Japan is this month’s president of the council.

The eight-member panel will reach the end of its mandate at the end of April. It will have to stop its activities unless the Security Council passes a resolution to extend the mandate.

According to a council source, many think that Russia is unlikely to approve an extension even if further negotiations are held. The panel is therefore likely to be effectively abolished.

The panel collects information on North Korea and investigates suspected cases of sanctions violations. If the organization stops its activities, sanctions evasion activities are expected to increase, making it easier for North Korea to accelerate its nuclear and missile development.

In a speech before the vote, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow will not approve the panel’s extension unless the sanctions against North Korea are reviewed fundamentally.

Japan, the United States and South Korea tried to persuade Russia. As a result, the vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was postponed to Thursday.

It is “irresponsible and shameful” that Russia violates Security Council resolutions by procuring military equipment and munitions from North Korea for use in its aggression against Ukraine, Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Kazuyuki Yamazaki said. Many other council member states also expressed regret over the veto.

JIJI Press