NEW YORK. Sept 6 (Interfax) - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is discussing a mitigation of the sanctions imposed on North Korea in light of the humanitarian situation in the country amid closed borders due to the coronavirus pandemic, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax.
"There is a sentiment now for doing something symbolic as North Korea has closed down and nothing would change even if they abolish them [sanctions], it's a purely demonstrative gesture. I'm not ruling it out," the source said.
The mitigation of the sanctions against North Korea is still hindered by the United States, the source said.
Russia and China sought the mitigation of sanctions as early as in December 2019, the source said.
"This issue was brought up again, showing that this offer is on the table and it is alive, at the recent session of the UN Security Council. The U.S. side blocked it immediately," the source said.
North Korea has been living under strict international and unilateral sanctions for many years, and they became comprehensive in 2017. North Korea closed its borders amid the coronavirus pandemic, it is almost impossible to enter or leave the country, thus humanitarian and any other supplies are considerably restricted. The Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un said in April 2021 that North Korea has faced "unprecedented difficulties."