The Council further strengthened its restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea by transposing the sectoral sanctions imposed by UN Security Council resolution 2371 (2017). This resolution was adopted on 5 August 2017 in response to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s ongoing nuclear weapon and ballistic missile-development activities, in violation and flagrant disregard of previous UN Security Council resolutions.

The Council will swiftly transpose the additional sanctions included in the latest UN security Council resolution (2375 of 11 September 2017), which introduces further sanctions on the DPRK, including strengthening some of the measures introduced by UNSCR 2371, for instance on North Korean workers. This reflects the approach agreed at the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Tallinn on 7 September, which also emphasises the need to work for the implementation of all UN Security Council resolutions by all UN states.

The measures introduced by UNSC resolution 2371 (2017) target the DPRK's main exports, imposing a total ban on all exports of coal iron, iron ore, seafood, lead and lead ore. Additional sanctions target the DPRK's arms smuggling, joint ventures with foreign companies, banks and its ability to generate revenue and to access the international financial system. In addition, the EU members states will not allow any more North Korean nationals to work on their territories as they are suspected of generating revenue which is used to support the country's illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Member states will also prohibit the opening of new joint ventures and cooperative entities, as well as the expansion of existing joint ventures through additional investments with any entities and individuals from the DPRK.

The Council had already transposed on 10 August the additional listings imposed by the UN Security Council resolution, adding 9 persons and 4 entities that support these illicit programs 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 62 persons and 50 entities as listed by the UN. In addition, 38 persons and 4 entities are designated by the EU autonomously.

The EU is implementing all UN Security Council resolutions adopted in response to the DPRK's nuclear and nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction 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 15 September.