Are UN Sanctions Against North Korea Working?

AS IT IS 2016-08-16 Are UN Sanctions Against North Korea Working?

United Nations’ economic restrictions¹ ordered against North Korea in March have produced mixed results.

Prices for goods in North Korea have remained stable. Reports note that business has slowed at the economic development zones. These zones were designed to appeal to foreign investment.

Lim Eul-chul is a professor of Korean Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea. He spoke² with VOA’s Korean Service. He said economic activity decreased in two development zones near the Chinese border in the last five months.

Lim said China had planned to invest in the Mubong Economic Development Zone and the Onsung Island Economic Development Zone. But development in the zones stopped after China took part in the U.N. sanctions against North Korea.

The U.N. sanctions increased financial restrictions on companies that do business with North Korea. The United States also ordered sanctions against North Korea. They include measures to seize money and property from organizations and individuals involved with North Korean industries.

Adam Cathcart is an East Asia expert at Leeds University in Great Britain. He said that even without sanctions, international companies are reluctant to invest in North Korea's economic development zones. He added the zones do “not provide enough infrastructure³.”

China slowdown

China is important to the North Korean economy. Close to 90 percent of North Korean trade flows either to or through China.

Last year, North Korean exports dropped almost 15 percent before the sanctions were in place. The Bank of Korea says the economic slowdown in China was the main cause of the drop.

Other reports suggest that sanctions are having some effect. Observers noted⁴ a drop in vehicle traffic at the Chinese and North Korean border. Some money transfers to North Korean banks have been suspended. Officials also have increased inspections⁵ of North Korean shipments entering Chinese ports.

However, there are also reports that say sanctions have not affected⁶ food and fuel prices.

News reports from Seoul show that the price of rice, corn, pork and fuel remained stable over the last year.

The reports say the price of gasoline increased by 45 percent immediately following the announcement of sanctions. But reports say the prices soon returned to normal.

Some experts say the growth of private markets under leader North Korean Kim Jong Un kept food and fuel supply prices stable.

North Korea reacted to the U.N. sanctions by testing multiple short- and medium-distance missiles.

China called on North Korea to end its nuclear program. But, China also wants a stable North Korea as balance to the U.S. and South Korean military alliance.

Words in This Story

stable – adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change?

zone – n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way

sanctions – n. actions that are taken or orders that are given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country

asset – n. a valuable person or thing?

infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures such as roads and bridges that are needed for a country? to function

transfer – n. to cause something to move from one place?

reluctant - adj. feeling or showing doubt about doing something?

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。