Press Releases
Release of the First Report of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT)
On May 29, the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) released its first report on the theme of “Unlawful Military Cooperation including Arms Transfers between North Korea and Russia”. On this occasion, the Joint Statement by the participating states of the MSMT was also released.
- The first report of the MSMT, which primarily covers cases found in the period between January 2024 and April 2025, contains specific information regarding violations and evasions of the sanction measures stipulated in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) on North Korea, such as arms transfers between North Korea and Russia, deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, and illicit trade networks.
- In the Joint Statement, the participating states reaffirm their shared determination to fully implement the relevant UNSCRs.
- The Government of Japan will continue to work closely with the international community, including the participating states of the MSMT, to promote the full implementation of relevant UNSCRs and call for the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
(Reference1) MSMT: Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team
In October 2024, like-minded countries including Japan established the MSMT in response to the termination of the mandate of the Panel of Experts for the UNSC 1718 Sanctions Committee in April 2024. The MSMT is an initiative to ensure the effectiveness of relevant UNSCRs through pointing out and reporting the cases of North Korea’s sanctions violations and evasions. In February 2025, the inaugural meeting of the MSMT Steering Committee was held.
The participating states (As of May 23, 2025) are Japan, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
