US, EU Stress Importance of Sanctions After North Korea Missile Launch

The U.S., the EU and other nations this week condemned North Korea’s Dec. 17 ballistic missile launch and called for U.N. member countries to fully implement sanctions against the country that prohibit it from importing weapons and ammunition.

The State Department, meeting with South Korean and Japanese officials, said the three nations “called for the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions” against North Korea.

The European Council said it’s “critical that all UN Member States, especially Members of the UN Security Council, urge [North Korea] to resume meaningful dialogue, and ensure the full implementation of UN sanctions.” The bloc also warned North Korea and Russia from conducting “any exchanges of military equipment, missile technology or ammunition,” saying U.N. measures “clearly prohibit any arms exports or imports involving” North Korea.