NEW YORK/SEOUL -- North Korea has evaded U.N. sanctions for the past three years with widespread smuggling operations, with the measures failing to bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table for denuclearization talks, according to a draft U.N. report.
Heavy restrictions on energy exports and imports, as well as other measures, put in place in 2017 came in response to missile and nuclear tests by the regime. The sanctions were a bid by the international community to compel North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, but the regime has continued with its weapons program.
