EU adds to DPRK missile programme sanctions as Kim vows more nuclear weapons

The Council of the EU has added eight individuals and four entities to the list of those subject to the restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (‘DPRK’), it announced on 21 April.

It said that the new listings ‘include individuals who have held leading positions in institutions that are engaged in the development of the missile programme and individuals and entities that have engaged in sanctions evasion activities that could generate funds for the illegal weapons programmes.

‘The EU is determined to prevent the flow of components, finance and knowledge that could be used by the DPRK to support the development of its illegal weapons programmes. The EU calls on the DPRK to cease destabilising actions, respect its obligations under international law and resume dialogue with relevant parties.’

At a military parade held in Pyongyang on 25 April, North Korea displayed the intercontinental ballistic missile (‘ICBM’) which it tested in March, while Kim Jong-Un made statements which have been interpreted by analysts as describing his intention to ramp up the DPRK nuclear missile programme.

‘Greatly excited’

North Korea’s press agency gave extensive coverage of the parade (which was held at night), reporting,

‘Amid the playing of solemn music and focusing of spotlights and display of fireworks, a great entity representing the strategic forces of the DPRK appeared at the square. At that moment the spectators raised loud cheers, greatly excited to see the giant ICBM Hwasongpho-17 which soared into sky on March 24 to demonstrate the absolute power of Juche Korea and the strategic position of the DPRK to the world. They extended highest glory to Kim Jong Un, great champion of justice and peace and peerless hero who has built up the national power, the greatest ever since the founding of the country, and ushered in the era of the most dignified powerful country in the nation’s history of 5 000 years, the era of the our-state-first principle by leading the country and its people with his outstanding ideology, leadership, passionate love and absolute trust.’

It described the ICBM as ‘The most powerful weapons in the world that represent the soul of Juche [the North Korean revolution], patriotism of all the people and the great strength eternally guaranteeing the future of the country and the nation rolled past the square, fully demonstrating the unshakable will of the Party and people to more dynamically and more vigorously accelerate the continued development of the capabilities for self-defence and war deterrent that constitute the bedrock of the existence of the state and guarantee for its development.’