Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/1504

of 24 August 2017

amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)
On 27 May 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/8491 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (‘the DPRK’), which repealed Decision 2013/183/CFSP and, inter alia, implemented United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013) and 2270 (2016).
(2)

On 5 August 2017, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2371 (2017) providing for new measures against the DPRK including the designation of persons and entities, including the Foreign Trade Bank and the Korean National Insurance Company (‘KNIC’), as subject to an asset freeze.

(3)

Paragraph 26 of UNSCR 2371 (2017) provides a specific exemption from the provisions of an asset freeze for financial transactions with the Foreign Trade Bank or KNIC in certain circumstances.

(4)
On 10 August 2017, the Council adopted Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2017/14592 adding the Foreign Trade Bank and KNIC to Annex I to Decision (CFSP) 2016/849. The exemptions provided for in paragraph 26 of UNSCR 2371 (2017) should also be given effect.
(5)

The entry for KNIC should be removed from Annex II to Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 as it is now designated under Annex I.

(6)

Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement the measures provided for in this Decision.

(7)

Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: