N. Korea urges US to drop sanctions as Seoul probes 9 cases of illicit coal shipments

North Korean state media on Monday urged the US to drop sanctions, as Seoul warned that it was investigating nine cases of coal shipments that potentially violated UN resolutions. The statements came days after a confidential United Nations report concluded that North Korea had not halted nuclear and missile programs, in breach of UN resolutions, and continued illegal trade in oil, coal and other commodities, Reuters reports. The Pyongyang’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper accused Washington of “acting opposite” to its plan to improve ties, despite goodwill gestures by North Korea, such as a moratorium on nuclear and missile tests and the dismantling of a nuclear site.