Timeline

 On 17 May 2011, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear a quarterly report by the president of the Sanctions Committee established by resolution 1718. France expressed its wish that the final annual report of the experts panel (panel established by resolution 1874 to assist the Committee and the Council) be published as soon as possible in accordance with the practice of all sanctions committees.

 The panel of independent experts established pursuant to resolution 1874 to assist the Sanctions Committee (1718 Committee) submitted on 28 January 2011 to the Committee, at its request, a report on the recent nuclear developments in North Korea. This report followed a meeting of the Committee with Professor Hecker, a U.S. scientist who was invited by North Korea in November 2010 to visit a uranium centrifuge facility and a light water reactor in Yeongbyon.

The expert panel concluded that the enrichment facility and the light water reactor constituted a serious violation of resolutions 1718 and 1874. It made recommendations to the Committee, including new designations of individuals, entities and assets and technologies for a nuclear enrichment program.

The report, which was not released, was discussed in closed consultations of the Security Council on 23 February 2011 during the quarterly review of the report of the president of the 1718 Committee. France emphasized the quality of the report of the panel of experts and endorsed its recommendations.

 On 10 February 2012, Portugal, as chairman of the Sanctions Committee of Resolution 1718 of the Security Council, presented in closed consultations his quarterly report to the Security Council. The committee had finally passed the notice on luxury goods.
France stressed that the accession of Kim Jong-un at the head of North Korea at the death of his father had not been marked by any progress in terms of transparency and fight against proliferation.

 On 13 April 2012, the Security Council met to discuss its reaction to the launch by North Korea of what its regime described as a rocket, in violation of resolutions 1718 and 1874. France condemned the launch, describing it as a "provocative act" that would "aggravate tensions in the region and complicate the search for a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue". On 16 April, in a presidential statement, the Council strongly condemned the launch, indicated it would adjust the scope of sanctions and demanded that North Korea abandon it put an end to its nuclear and missile programs. The Council also warned Pyongyang against a further launch or nuclear test.

 On 12 June 2012, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2050, renewing for one year the mandate of the panel of experts of the Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1718 and 1874.

 On 21 August 2012, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear the quarterly report of Portugal as Chairman of the sanctions committee of resolution 1718. North Korea continued to violate the measures adopted by the Security Council by pursuing its ballistic and enrichment programs and proliferation activities.

The Security Council supported the work of the panel of experts after the renewal of its members by resolution 2050 and the efforts of the Group of Six to bring North Korea to the table of negotiations.

 On 29 November, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear the briefing of the Portuguese permanent representative, as chairman of the 1718 Committee.

The French Representative called upon the Council to take concrete measures as a follow-up to the report on the implementation of the Councils resolutions published in June, as North Korea continued its ballistic and nuclear activities.

 On 12 December 2012, the Security Council condemned the launch of a rocket using ballistic missile technology by North Korea. This initiative was a clear violation of resolutions 1718 and 1874 of the Security Council.

France strongly condemned this launch which was threatening international peace and security, in particular in the Korean peninsula and in Eastern Asia. Pyongyang had to comply immediately with its international obligations and cease any nuclear and ballistic proliferation activities.

 On 22 January 2013, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2087, which was condemning the rocket launch conducted by North Korea on 12 December and tightening the sanctions regime against its proliferation activities.

 On 12 February 2013, following a nuclear test carried out by North Korea in violation of UNSC resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087, the Security Council held an emergency meeting at the request of several countries, including France. Council members unanimously condemned the test which constituted a serious threat to international peace and security, and decided to begin working on a new sanctions resolution.

 On 21 February 2013, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear the quarterly report of Luxembourg as Chairperson of the sanctions Committee of resolution 1718. North Korea continued to violate the measures adopted by the Security Council by pursuing its ballistic and proliferation activities, especially to the benefit of the Syrian regime.

The French Representative condemned the attempted export of ballistic material from North Korea to Syria, saying it only allowed the regime in Damascus to continue the slaughter of its people. He also welcomed the work of the Experts and stressed the need for them to close the many opened investigation files, in order for the Committee to take appropriate decisions.

 On 5 March 2013, as requested by the United States, the Security Council met in closed consultations.

The United States and China presented to the members of the Council a draft resolution putting into place new measures to reinforce the sanctions regime against North Korea.

 On 7 March 2013, following the 5 March private consultations, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2094 reinforcing the sanctions against North Korea.

 On 16 May 2013, the Security Council met in closed consultations to hear the quarterly report of Luxembourg as Chairperson of the sanctions Committee of resolution 1718.

While condemning the North Korea failure to comply with its international obligations, the representative of France stressed the importance of the Committee and of the panel of experts, whose mandate had been extended for one year. The Committee should continue its efforts to inform Member States on the guidelines of the Security Council resolution 2094, adopted unanimously in March to strengthen the sanctions regime.