South Korea has sent 1 billion won ($893,239.96) worth of sanctioned material to North Korea, customs data showed on Friday, raising concern ties with the
SEOUL – South Korea has sent 1 billion won ($893,239.96) worth of sanctioned material to North Korea, customs data showed on Friday, raising concern ties with the United States could be damaged as the South pursues cooperation with the North.
The United States is pressing North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, calling for stringent implementation of tough U. S. and U. N. sanctions.
But at the same time, its ally, South Korea, is trying to increase cooperation with its old rival.
South Korea transferred about 113 tons of materials and equipment including steel, copper, nickel and water heaters to North Korea in June and July, according to customs data released by opposition lawmaker Cheong Yang-seog.
The material and equipment identified in the data are banned from being exported to North Korea under U. N. Security Council Resolution 2397, Cheong’s office said.
The Korea Customs Service declined to comment on the data, directing inquiries to another ministry that handles inter-Korean relations. It also declined to comment.
A South Korean foreign ministry official also declined to comment on the customs data, but said materials and equipment are being sent for a liaison office that South Korea is building just over the border in North Korea, as part of efforts championed by the South’s President Moon Jae-in to improve ties.
