Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea/DPRK)

DPRK: New UN Security Council sanctions

On 7 March 2013 the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2094 (2013) to impose additional sanctions on North Korea in response to that country’s 12 February nuclear test. The resolution builds upon, strengthens and significantly expands the scope of the strong sanctions regime already in place. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently preparing amendments to the Charter of the United Nations (Sanctions – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Regulations 2008.

On 14 October 2006 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1718 (2006) imposing sanctions in relation to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in response to a test of a nuclear weapon on 9 October 2006, which it deemed a threat to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to international efforts aimed at strengthening the global regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and a danger to peace and stability in the region and beyond. The sanctions were renewed and extended by UNSC resolution 1874 (2009) and resolution 2087 (2013).

As a consequence, Australian law now prohibits the following conduct:

1. The unauthorised supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of all arms and related matériel.

2. The supply, sale or transfer to the DPRK of:

(a) goods mentioned in UN Security Council documents specified in resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009):

(b) goods mentioned in International Atomic Energy Agency documents specified in resolution 1874 (2009):

(c) other items determined by the Security Council or the Committee established by the Security Council since the adoption of Resolution 1718 (the 1718 Committee), including:

(d) Luxury goods.

3. The unauthorised provision to the DPRK of:

(a) financial transactions, technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the goods referred to in 1 above;

(b) bunkering services to a DPRK vessel.

4. The provision to the DPRK of:

(a) technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the goods referred to in 2(a), (b) and (c) above;


(b) services relating to the transportation of the goods referred to in 2(a), (b), (c) and (d) above

5.The procurement from the DPRK of:

(a) All arms and related matériel;

(b) goods mentioned in UN Security Council documents specified in resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009):

(c) goods mentioned in International Atomic Energy Agency documents specified in resolution 1874 (2009):

(d) other items determined by the Security Council or the 1718 Committee, since the adoption of resolution 1718 (2006), including:

6. The procurement from the DPRK of:

(a) financial transactions, technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the goods referred to in 5(a) above;

(b) technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the goods referred to in 5(a), (b), (c) and (d) above;

7. The use or dealing with the assets of, and the making available of assets to, persons and entities listed by the Security Council or by the 1718 Committee.

8. The entry or transit through Australia of persons listed by the Security Council or the Sanctions Committee.

Authorisations and inquiries

To apply for an authorisation to engage in conduct otherwise prohibited by sanctions, or to make an inquiry as to whether a specific transaction is subject to sanctions, please use the Online Sanctions Administration System.

See also