The May 24 measures, also called 5.24(), are the sanctions imposed by

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

against

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders China and Russia to the north at the Yalu River, Yalu (Amnok) an ...

preventing economic relations with North Korea, implemented in response to the

sinking of the ROKS Cheonan The ROKS ''Cheonan'' sinking occurred on 26 March 2010, when , a of the Republic of Korea Navy, carrying 104 personnel, sank off the country's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 seamen. The cause of the sinking ...

on 26 March 2010 that resulted in the death of 46 sailors. In October 2018, the South Korean government was considering lifting the May 24 measures against North Korea, though former

United States president The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed For ...

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...

expressed displeasure at the move.

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.

Reactions

The

Democratic Party of Korea Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (Cyprus) (DCY) **Democratic Part ...

has argued that the May 24 measures prevent NK-SK relations from progressing. 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." 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."Moon Chung-in alludes to adjusting May 24 sanctions on North Korea
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:5-24 Measure Embargoes Economy of Korea International sanctions North Korea–South Korea relations