Recently, the disbandment of the international sanctions monitoring regime on North Korea has gone largely unnoticed. This development raises concerns about the unimpeded flow of North Korean weapons to various global hotspots. The enforcement of United Nations sanctions against North Korea has been deteriorating over the years, culminating in Russia vetoing the renewal of the Panel of Experts in March. While some countries continue to adhere to the sanctions, others like Russia and China do not, allowing North Korea to ship weapons to allies like Russia, China, Iran, and Syria without fear of repercussions.
North Korea has been finding innovative ways to circumvent sanctions, including using disguised trading ships, flags of convenience, AIS spoofing, and creating fake ship registrations. The country has been altering ships in Chinese shipyards and engaging in direct trade with China. The slackening of enforcement has enabled North Korea to boost its weapons exports, consolidate alliances with countries like Russia, and further expand its buyer network.
North Korea’s potential military relationships with Iran and Syria, as well as its use of weapons by Hamas against Israel, indicate a growing threat that may now go unchecked due to the lack of sanctions enforcement. Despite not forming a formal alliance, Russia, China, and North Korea share a common interest in minimizing American influence, allowing North Korea to develop its weapons export industry with less interference.