External announcement on North Korea sanctions held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul &#40;Joint Press Coverage&#41; October 16, 2024 / Photo by Kyung Heo

North Korea sharply criticized the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT)—a group established by 11 Western nations, including the United States, Japan, and South Korea—after it released its inaugural report on North Korean sanctions violations. Pyongyang denounced the report as a provocative infringement on its national sovereignty.

According to the <em>Rodong Sinmun</em>, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that its Director of Foreign Policy condemned the MSMT's findings. The report, which outlines alleged military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, was described as a flagrant violation of the international principles of sovereign equality and non-interference in domestic affairs.

The director expressed grave concern over the West's provocative actions, accusing them of attempting to violate North Korea's sovereign rights based on unilateral and coercive political and legal standards. He issued a stern warning about the negative consequences that such reckless behavior could bring.

The statement dismissed the MSMT as a phantom group lacking any legal basis or legitimate authority. It argued that no one has granted the United States and its follower allies the authority to assess and condemn legitimate relations between sovereign states arbitrarily. The director further denounced the MSMT as a political tool serving Western geopolitical interests, asserting it has no justification to investigate other nations' exercise of sovereign rights.

Regarding North Korea-Russia military cooperation, the statement claimed it aims to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests while ensuring peace and stability in Eurasia. It cited Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the right to individual or collective self-defense, and Article 4 of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between North Korea and Russia, asserting their collaboration as a legitimate exercise of sovereign rights.

The official also warned that North Korea reserves the right to take strong countermeasures to defend its interests against flagrant sovereignty violations and interference in internal affairs by MSMT member states. He declared that the nation's efforts to safeguard its dignity and sovereignty will not be constrained by anyone's prejudiced views or malicious criticism.

Last month, the MSMT released its inaugural report, along with a joint statement from participating countries, which focused on military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The MSMT was established in October last year to replace the monitoring function previously carried out by the UN Security Council's expert panel on North Korean sanctions.

North Korea sharply criticized the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT)—a group …

North Korea Condemns Western Sanctions Report as Violation of Sovereignty