U.S. and South Korea Form Task Force to Halt North Korean Oil Smuggling

The newly established Enhanced Disruption Task Force aims to counteract North Korea's sanctions evasion and illicit petroleum procurement.

The U.S. and South Korea have launched the Enhanced Disruption Task Force (EDTF) to counter North Korea's efforts to circumvent sanctions, particularly in obtaining refined petroleum.
The EDTF aims to disrupt Pyongyang's oil procurement channels, including those involving Russia, and to expose sanctions evasion activities.
North Korea has been smuggling refined petroleum in excess of the U.N.-mandated annual cap of 500,000 barrels, with estimates suggesting up to 1.5 million barrels were imported last year.
The task force will also consider autonomous sanctions against entities involved in smuggling and engage the private sector to prevent North Korea's illicit procurement.
North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile programs, with satellite imagery showing new construction at a suspected nuclear complex and ongoing rocket tests.