Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, U.S. discuss efforts to block N. Korea’s illicit funding

The deputy nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States have discussed ways to work together to cut off North Korea's sanctions-evading funding channels, such as illegal cyberactivities and ship-to-ship transfers, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday. The talks took place in New York on Monday (local time) between Lee Jun-il, director general for Korean Peninsula policy, and Seth Bailey, deputy special representative for North Korea, ahead of a symposium on North Korea's cyberthreats. The two sides discussed coordination efforts to block North Korea's cyberactivities, dispatch of its workers overseas and ship-to-ship transfers of refined petroleum in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to the ministry. They also agreed to thoroughly prepare for any possible provocations by Pyongyang and continue close coordination regarding North Korea's expanding military ties with Russia, the ministry said. Speaking at the symposium, Lee highlighted the need for concerted efforts from bo th the government and private sectors to cut off the North's funding sources, as most of the cyber money it steals is used for the development of its weapons programs. Source: Yonhap News Agency