North Korea Hits Back at Sanctions Report

North Korea said on Monday that it would not tolerate attempts by “hostile forces” to restrict its cooperation with other countries. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson added that no new sanctions would prevent the country’s development or defense of its fundamental interests.

Pyongyang also criticized the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), which comprises 11 countries, accusing it of portraying what North Korea considers normal and mutually beneficial economic cooperation as illegal.

In a report released on 16 September, the MSMT said North Korea continues to send workers abroad in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. It estimated that overseas workers generated between $450m and $800m in 2025, helping fund the country’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

According to the report, an estimated 35,600 to 101,280 North Koreans continue to work in at least 17 countries, with nearly all based in China and Russia. The MSMT called on countries to repatriate the workers and refrain from issuing new work permits.

The team comprises Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the US.

(Reuters, max)