How the U.S. and its allies are enforcing UN sanctions against North Korea.
Welcome to VOA Asia Weekly.
I’m Chris Casquejo in Washington.
That story is just ahead but first, making headlines:
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported Wednesday that there is growing evidence indicating the presence of North Korean soldiers on Russian soil. South Korea’s intelligence chief revealed to lawmakers that North Korea has dispatched an additional 1,500 troops to Russia, effectively doubling the total contingent to approximately 3,000. These troops are now undergoing specialized training on drones and advanced military equipment in preparation for impending deployments to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. Pyongyang, however, vehemently denies these claims and maintains its innocence.
In a significant diplomatic encounter, Russian leader Vladimir Putin warmly welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the opening of the BRICS summit on Tuesday. Putin referred to Xi as his “dear friend,” emphasizing that their deepening cooperation is perceived as a stabilizing force in an increasingly tumultuous global landscape.
In a powerful response to the tragic rape and murder of a colleague, junior doctors called off a grueling 17-day hunger strike following an emotional appeal from the victim’s grieving family. Several participants in the strike suffered from severe dehydration and required hospitalization. The tragic killing of the female doctor in early August ignited nationwide protests across India, demanding justice and safety for women. Authorities have arrested a police volunteer in connection with the heinous crime.
Newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto officially swore in his cabinet ministers on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in his administration following the announcement of Indonesia’s largest-ever Cabinet just a day prior. A total of 109 members represented his pledge for a strong government.
Polls conducted in Japan indicate that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, under the leadership of new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is poised to lose seats in the upcoming lower house elections on Sunday. This could potentially result in a loss of the party’s majority, forcing a coalition to share power. The LDP has maintained a dominant position in Japan’s political landscape for all but four of the past 65 years.
The United States and its allies are advancing their initiatives to enforce United Nations sanctions on North Korea, even amid what they describe as a notable lack of cooperation from both Russia and China. VOA’s Bill Gallo accompanied a Canadian military flight as it patrolled the East China Sea, a region crucial to these enforcement efforts.
As part of this mission, the Canadian Air Force is actively patrolling the waters off China’s coast, which has emerged as a hotspot for sanctions evasion linked to North Korea.
These waters are infamous for facilitating oil shipments to North Korea, blatantly defying U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing the regime’s nuclear ambitions.
This Canadian crew represents a segment of a larger, coordinated sanctions-enforcement effort involving the U.S. and ten allied nations.
Major Doug Publicover, the commander of the Canadian crew, stated, “Our primary goal is to prevent illegal ship-to-ship transfers that facilitate the influx of petroleum products into North Korea.”
When they spot a suspicious vessel, the crew conducts low-altitude flights to gather critical evidence that can potentially lead to the de-flagging or seizure of the offending ships. It’s a low-profile operation that’s been carried out for years, often without making headlines.
“Typically, flights like this proceed without drawing significant media attention. However, one nation that is definitely taking note is China.”
Shortly after the mission commences, Chinese fighter jets surface, trailing the Canadian aircraft for an extended period. Although these waters are considered international, we find ourselves in a region closely monitored by China.
U.S. officials argue that this area is inadequately surveilled, allowing North Korea to consistently exceed its U.N.-mandated energy limits every year without facing consequences.
China maintains that it is compliant with the sanctions but simultaneously advocates for their lifting, further complicating international enforcement efforts.
In addition, Russia has increasingly solidified its ties with North Korea, reinstating a mutual defense agreement, while also vetoing the U.N. panel responsible for monitoring sanctions enforcement on Pyongyang.
The U.S. and its allies have announced the creation of a new body to replace the defunct U.N. panel, but it won’t have the backing of the U.N., raising doubts about its ability to enforce sanctions effectively.
“The reality is that the U.S. and its allies cannot enforce U.N. sanctions independently as long as China and Russia opt not to cooperate. Nevertheless, this new body can serve as a valuable tool for naming and shaming non-compliant nations.”
This strategy hinges on ongoing surveillance flights that collect vital information, which governments can leverage to impose additional sanctions on entities violating U.N. mandates.
The potential effectiveness of this initiative, however, remains uncertain in the absence of support from China and Russia. Currently, the U.S. and its allies are committed to upholding these U.N. sanctions, albeit without complete international backing.
Bill Gallo. VOA News. Over the East China Sea.
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I’m Chris Casquejo.
Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla were treated to a rich showcase of Samoan culture, featuring traditional arts and crafts.
Charles, the symbolic head of the Commonwealth, is visiting Samoa to attend the 75th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which brings together leaders from across the globe.
More than half of the Commonwealth’s members comprise small states, many of which are Pacific Island nations confronting the existential threat of rising sea levels resulting from climate change.
The leaders are expected to make a vital declaration focused on ocean conservation.
Thanks for watching VOA Asia Weekly.
VOA Asia Weekly: Interview Segment on Sanctions Enforcement Against North Korea
Host: Chris Casquejo
Guest: Major Doug Publicover, Canadian Air Force Commander
Chris Casquejo: Welcome back to VOA Asia Weekly. We have Major Doug Publicover with us, who recently led a Canadian military operation to enforce U.N. sanctions against North Korea. Major Publicover, thank you for joining us.
Major Doug Publicover: Thank you for having me, Chris.
Chris Casquejo: To start, can you explain what the primary objectives of your recent mission were?
Major Doug Publicover: Our primary goal was to prevent illegal ship-to-ship transfers that facilitate the influx of petroleum products into North Korea. These transfers undermine U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at curbing North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.
Chris Casquejo: We’ve heard that these waters are notorious for sanctions evasion. What exactly does your crew do when you spot a suspicious vessel?
Major Doug Publicover: When we identify a suspicious vessel, we conduct low-altitude flights to gather critical evidence. This information can lead to the de-flagging or seizure of those ships involved in illegal activities.
Chris Casquejo: It seems this operation often happens under the radar. Why do you think there’s a lack of media attention on such missions?
Major Doug Publicover: Indeed, these flights usually proceed without significant media coverage. However, one country that certainly takes note is China. During our operation, we often see Chinese fighter jets trailing our aircraft, which underscores the high-stakes environment we’re operating in.
Chris Casquejo: Given the recent reports about North Korean troops training in Russia, how do these developments affect international coordination on sanctions enforcement?
Major Doug Publicover: The increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia complicates the enforcement landscape. With Russia reinstating defense agreements and vetoing U.N. panels monitoring sanctions, our collective efforts to uphold these sanctions face significant hurdles.
Chris Casquejo: What can you tell us about the newly proposed body intended to replace the defunct U.N. sanctions panel? What challenges do you foresee?
Major Doug Publicover: The new body lacks the backing of the U.N., which raises questions about its legitimacy and effectiveness. The reality is that the U.S. and its allies cannot enforce U.N. sanctions independently, especially without a robust international framework supporting those efforts.
Chris Casquejo: Major Publicover, thank you for shedding light on these operations and the complexities surrounding sanctions enforcement against North Korea.
Major Doug Publicover: Thanks, Chris. It’s vital we continue to spotlight these issues.
Chris Casquejo: That’s all for our segment today. Stay tuned for more developments here on VOA Asia Weekly.
He increasing ties between North Korea and Russia complicate the sanctions enforcement efforts?
Major Doug Publicover: The growing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia certainly adds a layer of complexity to our mission. It not only indicates that North Korea is finding new avenues for support but also raises concerns about potential increased aggressiveness in the region. This situation could make it more challenging to enforce sanctions, as it adds additional players who may not adhere to UN mandates.
Chris Casquejo: And what role do you think the lack of cooperation from Russia and China plays in this scenario?
Major Doug Publicover: Without the cooperation of both Russia and China, enforcing sanctions becomes significantly more difficult. Although we have mechanisms in place, such as the new body to replace the now-defunct UN panel, our effectiveness is inherently limited without their full support. However, our operations can serve as a way to monitor activities and apply pressure through public accountability.
Chris Casquejo: What are the next steps for Canadian and allied forces in terms of ongoing mission objectives to counter North Korea’s sanctions evasion?
Major Doug Publicover: Our commitment will remain steadfast as we continue to conduct surveillance flights and gather intelligence. This information will be crucial for governments looking to impose further sanctions on non-compliant entities. Despite the challenges, we aim to increase visibility on these operations, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in enforcement efforts.
Chris Casquejo: Thank you, Major Publicover, for shedding light on these critical efforts against sanctions evasion and the challenges at hand. We appreciate your service and insights.
Major Doug Publicover: Thank you, Chris. It’s been a pleasure to discuss this important topic.
Chris Casquejo: That concludes our interview segment on the enforcement of UN sanctions against North Korea. Stay tuned for more updates on this topic and other international news.
