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19h ago

UN Panel Clears 17 Humanitarian Waivers for North Korea After Seoul–Washington Push

Officials cast the move as a modest goodwill step that could open limited room for reengagement.

The United Nations General Assembly meets after China and Russia vetoed new sanctions on North Korea in the U.N. Security Council, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., June 8, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
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Overview

  • The UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee unanimously approved sanctions exemptions for 17 aid projects focused on health care, clean water, sanitation and nutrition.
  • The waivers cover initiatives by WHO, UNICEF and FAO, plus five led by South Korean local groups including Gyeonggi Province and four by NGOs from the United States and other countries.
  • The decision followed consultations in Washington between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the United States advancing the step at Seoul’s request.
  • The approvals resolve procedural holds that had stalled applications for months, in some cases up to nine months, and reflect a shift from earlier U.S. caution over diversion risks, with most projects extending previously approved efforts valued at several hundred thousand dollars each.
  • Implementation now awaits formal committee notifications and depends on whether North Korea accepts the assistance, which it has previously declined at times.