Russian President unexpectedly 'strongly' signs sanctions against North Korea

On October 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree imposing restrictive measures on North Korea to force Pyongyang to comply with the United Nations Security Council's sanctions resolution.

RT said that Russia's restrictive decree on North Korea is related to the sanctions resolution that the United Nations Security Council issued in November 2016.

Russia's move to sanction North Korea came after a North Korean delegation arrived in St. Petersburg to attend the 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-137).

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The decree restricting North Korea, which President Putin has just signed, will affect the cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and technology. However, cooperation in the field of "nuclear science and technology, aerospace and space machinery manufacturing techniques, and modern industrial technologies" will continue if Pyongyang proves that they do not serve the development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons.

President Putin even ordered that ships accused of being involved in North Korea's nuclear program be banned from Russian ports except in emergency cases. Russia's sanctions also prohibit the transfer of new helicopters and ships to North Korea.

Pyongyang is also restricted from accessing “luxury goods” such as carpets and porcelain worth over $500 and $100, respectively. In addition, North Korea cannot use any real estate in Russia except diplomatic and consular premises.

Meanwhile, on October 16, the European Union (EU) also issued a series of new sanctions against Pyongyang. Accordingly, the EU banned the import, trade or transport of petroleum and oil to North Korea. Funds are also prohibited from being transferred to North Korea.

For his part, speaking at the IPU session, the North Korean representative called the US sanctions "state terrorism".

“The sanctions against North Korea are aimed at completely cutting off Pyongyang’s international trade, many of which affect the survival of the North Korean people. These sanctions are no different from state terrorism,” Interfax quoted the head of the North Korean delegation as saying.

According to Infornet.vn