North Korea dismisses new sanctions as ineffective for development

Key facts

• North Korea stated new sanctions will not block its development or defense of core interests.
• A Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) of fabricating a report.
• The MSMT reported North Korea continues to send laborers overseas in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
• The MSMT estimated North Korea generates $450 million to $800 million annually from overseas laborers for its weapons programs.
• An estimated 35,600 to 101,280 North Korean workers remain active in at least 17 countries, mainly China and Russia.

North Korea asserted on Monday that new sanctions will not hinder its development or the protection of its fundamental interests, according to state media KCNA. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that hostile forces' attempts to restrict Pyongyang's international cooperation would not be tolerated. The statement specifically criticized the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), a group of 11 UN member states tasked with tracking sanctions violations, accusing it of fabricating a report. North Korea claims the report misrepresented its normal, mutually beneficial economic cooperation with other nations as illegal.

The MSMT's report, issued on September 16, alleged that North Korea continues to dispatch laborers abroad in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. These activities are estimated to generate between $450 million and $800 million in 2025, funds allegedly used to finance the country's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. The report further estimated that between 35,600 and 101,280 North Korean workers are currently employed in at least 17 countries, with China and Russia being the primary destinations. The MSMT urged these countries to enforce UN resolutions by repatriating North Korean workers and ceasing the issuance of new work permits. Participating states in the MSMT include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.