The foreign ministers of the European Union, along with foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini imposed new and tougher sanctions against North Korea, which has so far defied international pressure to give up testing of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg signed a new package of measures that include,
- A total ban on EU investment in the DPRK, in all sectors. The ban was previously limited to investment in the nuclear and conventional arms-related industry, in the sectors of mining, refining and chemical industries, metallurgy and metalworking and aerospace;
- A total ban on the sale of refined petroleum products and crude oil to the DPRK. These exports were subject to certain limitations under the UN Security Council resolution of 11 September;
- Lowering the amount of personal remittances transferred to the DPRK from € 15 000 to € 5 000; as they are suspected of being used to support the country's illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
- In addition to that, member states agreed not to renew work authorizations for DPRK nationals present on their territory, except for refugees and other persons benefiting from international protection.
- The Council also added three persons and six entities supporting the illicit programs to the lists of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions. This brings the total number under restrictive measures against the DPRK as designated by the EU autonomously to 41 individuals and 10 entities. In addition, 63 individuals and 53 entities are listed by the UN.
Since the election of Donald Trump, the United States and its international partners and non-partners like Russia and China have agreed to increase pressure on Pyongyang to reign on its missile ambitions but with little results so far.
