(LEAD) Russia submits short implementation plan on N. Korea sanctions

(ATTN: ADDS gov't response in 8th para)

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- Russia was confirmed on Friday to have submitted a relatively short implementation plan to the United Nations explaining how it will enforce sanctions against North Korea for defiantly pursuing its nuclear and missile programs.

Russia's one-page report dated May 27 was made public on the U.N. website, detailing its implementation plan for the sanctions outlined under the latest resolution of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) adopted in March.

The resolution was unanimously adopted after the reclusive country detonated its fourth nuclear device and test-fired a long-range rocket early this year.

"On the date of the adoption of the resolution -- 2 March 2016 -- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation informed the country's executive authorities that the provisions of the resolution shall apply in the territory of the Russian Federation until the issuance of the presidential decree," the report said.

The report noted that a draft degree of its president on the implementation of the U.N. resolutions "is currently under consideration by the ministries and departments concerned."

It also said that its central bank "has issued an information circular instructing other banks to comply with paragraphs 33-36 of the resolution," which is related to restrictions on interbank transactions with the North.

The length is relatively short compared with the 18-page report sent by the United States and Britain's nine-page one.

"You don't have to read too much into the length of the report since there have been cases in which Russia submitted such short ones before," a government official said on condition of anonymity. "As seen in the past, Russia could compile follow-up reports whenever new developments with its enforcement take place."

The UNSC asked its member countries to draw up their own plans on how they would enforce the sanctions on the North. Countries were required to submit the plans within 90 days of the resolution's adoption. The deadline was June 2 (local time), though countries have leeway in regards to when they submit their reports.

So far, 36 countries, including Russia, the U.S., China and South Korea have submitted their implementation plans.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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