By Hahm Hee-eun

The Associated Press (AP) reported on Aug. 6 that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which has imposed sanctions on North Korea, has now adopted new guidelines to speed up humanitarian aid to North Korea.

Tough U.N. sanctions were imposed on North Korea in response to its escalating nuclear and ballistic missile test programs. However, delivery of humanitarian aid has been an exemption. Nonetheless, the effect of sanctions has had substantial delays in procurement, shipping and delivery of aid supplies. In particular, the Seoul government announced plans in September 2017 to contribute USD 8 million to public health and nutrition in North Korea through the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), but the payments have been delayed.

The AP also reported that the U.S., which has enforced all U.N. sanctions on North Korea, has taken the lead in creating the new guidelines. None of the 15 members of the Security Council raised objections to the new guidelines either.

The new guidelines are expected to be presented to the 193 U.N. member states in the near future.


hehahm@korea.kr