The Council further strengthened its restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by transposing the sectoral sanctions imposed by UN Security Council resolution 2375 (2017). That resolution was adopted on 11 September 2017 in response to the DPRK's ongoing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles-development activities, in violation and flagrant disregard of previous UN Security Council resolutions.

The measures introduced by UNSC resolution 2375 (2017) include a ban on the sale of natural gas liquids to the DPRK, and on the importation of its textiles. The new measures also include limitations on the sale of refined petroleum products and crude oil to the DPRK.

In addition, member states will not provide new work authorisations to DPRK nationals to enter and work in their territory as they are suspected of generating revenue which is used to support the country's illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The legal acts also transpose the exemptions provided by the UN Security Council for humanitarian and livelihood purposes.

The Council had already transposed on 15 September the additional listings imposed by the UN Security Council resolution, adding three entities and one individual supporting the illicit programmes to the lists of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions. The total number of persons under restrictive measures against the DPRK is 63 individuals and 53 entities as listed by the UN. In addition, 38 individuals and 4 entities have been designated by the EU autonomously.

As agreed by EU foreign ministers in Tallinn on 7 September, the Council is currently working on possible additional EU autonomous measures to complement and reinforce the UN Security Council sanctions.

The EU is implementing all UN Security Council resolutions adopted in response to the DPRK's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. In addition, the EU has imposed autonomous restrictive measures against the DPRK, complementing and reinforcing the UN sanctions regime.

The legal acts will be published in the Official Journal of 11 October.