In a classic under-the-political radar ploy, Russia has vetoed a U.N. Committee investigating North Korean nuclear, missile and banking sanctions violations. The low-profile but highly significant sanctions committee regularly monitors illicit actions by the Pyongyang communists to develop, improve and implement the regime's nuclear weapons and offensive missile programs.

The 15-member U.N. Security Council set up the North Korean overview committee in 2009 through resolution 1718, thus the group's name. But when the Council was set to renew the annual mandate in what was usually a pro-forma move, Russia used its blocking veto to stop the renewal. China abstained from the vote.

Why is this important? Because the committee has been watching and monitoring the sanctions-busting actions of the quaintly titled Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), or North Korea.

The Russian veto is hardly surprising. It mirrors what I have long called the Security Council logjam.

Since at least 2011, Moscow and often Beijing have opposed council cooperation and accord over such key international security concerns as Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza and Israel. The DPRK is hardly an exception to this deep diplomatic rift.

Vetoes and the once-rare double vetoes........

© The Korea Times