S. Korea denies oil supply to NK without UNSC approval

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Noh Kyu-duk / Yonhap

By Kim Bo-eun

The South Korean government on Thursday refuted allegations that it violated United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on the North by failing to report that it took oil into the inter-Korean liaison office in Gaeseong.

The response came after a report by Kyodo News Agency stated the UNSC is set to release a report stating South Korea violated sanctions with regards to the matter. Kyodo stated UNSC sanctions require member nations to report on shipments of oil.

“The government is closely cooperating with the UNSC sanctions committee on North Korea's panel under the stance that it proceeds with inter-Korean projects within the boundaries of sanctions on the North,” foreign ministry spokesman Noh Kyu-duk said in a briefing.

South Korea only used the oil for inter-Korean projects and brought home the remaining supplies, he said.

The official said “in preparation for opening the inter-Korean liaison office, we consulted the U.S. and the U.N. on the matter, and this was proceeded with, under their understanding.”

Kyodo stated the report will be compiled this week and released at a later date.

The liaison office in Gaeseong opened in September, to enable around-the-clock communication between the South and North, amid a detente that unfolded last year.