Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the Acting U.S. Representative, addressed a UN Security Council briefing on nonproliferation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on May 7, 2025. The meeting focused on violations of DPRK-related Security Council resolutions.
Ambassador Shea expressed gratitude to Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari and Mr. James Byrne for their briefings. She noted that one year ago, Russia vetoed the mandate renewal of the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts with China's tacit support. This action deprived UN Member States of essential information needed to implement obligations under DPRK-related resolutions.
"The United States is grateful that independent and well-regarded experts from organizations like the Open Source Centre continue to investigate and provide credible reporting on violations and evasions of the DPRK-related Security Council resolutions," Shea stated.
The briefing highlighted ongoing sanctions violations and evasion activities generating revenue for DPRK's unlawful weapons programs despite Russia's veto. "Today’s briefing shows the Council will continue to ensure Member States are aware of sanctions violations and evasion activity that generate revenue for the DPRK’s unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs despite Russia’s veto," Shea added.
Shea thanked the Open Source Centre for examining satellite images and creating models to calculate munitions imported by Russia from the DPRK in violation of sanctions. She emphasized that these imports fund DPRK's weapons programs.
Shea pointed out continued exports by DPRK, violating Council resolutions: "The DPRK continues brazenly to violate the Council’s resolutions by exporting coal and iron ore to China."
She also highlighted evidence showing Chinese authorities overlooking imports from DPRK, contradicting China's claims of fully implementing Council resolutions.
"Colleagues, this Council needs to address these egregious violations of Security Council resolutions despite Russia’s and China’s efforts to obstruct," Shea urged.
The U.S. called for all states to de-flag vessels involved in sanctions-evasion activities even if not formally designated due to obstruction by committee members. Resolution 2397 obligates states to seize vessels involved in prohibited activities.
"We call on all UN Member States to fulfill their obligations," Shea stated, announcing plans to nominate vessels for designation in response to violations mentioned in Mr. Byrne's briefing.
She concluded by expressing readiness to work with the Security Council on reinstating the 1718 Committee Panel of Experts: "The United States stands ready to work with the rest of the Security Council."