May 24 measures
The May 24 measures, also called 5.24({{langx|ko|5·24조치}}), are the sanctions imposed by South Korea against North Korea preventing economic relations with North Korea, implemented in response to the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan on 26 March 2010 that resulted in the death of 46 sailors.{{cite web |title=Korean Tensions Grow as South Curbs Trade to North (Published 2010) |website=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103192753/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/asia/24korea.html |archive-date=2023-01-03 |url-status=live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/world/asia/24korea.html}} In October 2018, the South Korean government was considering lifting the May 24 measures against North Korea,[http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181010000750 ‘Government looking into ending May 24 measures on NK’: Foreign Minister Kang] though former United States president Donald Trump expressed displeasure at the move.[https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/South-Korea-considers-lifting-some-sanctions-on-North-Korea-496582991.html Mike Pompeo displeased by agreement between Koreas]
Background
After the ROKS Cheonan sinking on 26 March 2010, a South Korean investigation concluded that the ship had been sunk by North Korea using a torpedo.
The May 24 measures were intended to address North Korean responsibility for the sinking and to normalize the relationship between South and North Korea.
The main sanctions are:
- banning visits by South Koreans to North Korea
- halting all North-South trade
- prohibiting business expansion by South Koreans in the north
- halting all aid projects
- prohibiting North Korean ships from sailing in South Korean waters.[http://english.donga.com/List/3/all/26/406822/1 May 24 measure halting inter-Korean exchange to be lifted]
Reactions
The Democratic Party of Korea has argued that the May 24 measures prevent NK-SK relations from progressing.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohmynews.com/nws_web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001648073|title=실효성 없는 5·24 조치 하루빨리 철회해야|date=2011-10-30|website=Oh-My-News|trans-title=The ineffective measures should be withdrawn as soon as possible.|access-date=2018-05-19}}
On 25 May 2015, North Korean state media condemned the sanctions, saying "the May 24 step remains a cancer-like entity, blocking the improved relations between the north and the south, spoiling the national concord and unity and escalating the confrontation and tension."[https://www.nknews.org/2015/05/north-korea-blasts-may-24-sanctions/ North Korea blasts May 24 sanctions]
On 24 May 2017, presidential special advisor Chung-in Moon suggested the measures could be removed, saying "In order for the newly launched administration to take the initiative in inter-Korean relations, it needs to recognize the limitations of the May 24 measures and to resolve these in a forward-looking manner."[http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/796240.html Moon Chung-in alludes to adjusting May 24 sanctions on North Korea]