South Korea is in danger of violating international sanctions against North Korea if it too eagerly rolls out the red carpet for North Korea at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The Unification Ministry wants to ship some 10,000 liters or 63 barrels of diesel fuel to the North's Mt. Kumgang resort for a cultural event there on Feb. 4. But exports of diesel to the North are strictly limited under UN Security Council sanctions. and completely banned under separate U.S. sanctions.

Under the U.S.' North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act signed by President Donald Trump last August, the U.S. president can designate any person or agent that knowingly sells, delivers, or supplies crude oil, light oil products, refined petroleum, or natural gas to the North Korean government directly or indirectly as subject to sanctions.

Even if Trump grants an exception in this case, Congress could slam a brake on the process.