The US and South Korea have created a group to block Russian oil supplies to the DPRK

Illustrative photo from open sources

The United States and South Korea have created a new working group aimed at stopping North Korea from illegally purchasing oil as the impasse in the UN Security Council casts doubt on the future of international sanctions.

First meeting of the group took place in Washington on March 26. The meeting was attended by more than 30 officials from ministries and departments responsible for diplomacy, intelligence, sanctions and the maritime interdiction, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Both sides expressed concern about supplies across Russian oil to North Korea and discussed ways to end illegal cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang, the statement said.

"Oil is an important resource for North Korea's nuclear and missile development and military power", – the statement says.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga