UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States is seeking the toughest-ever U. N…
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States is seeking the toughest-ever U. N. sanctions on North Korea that would ban all oil and natural gas exports to the northeast Asian nation and freeze all foreign financial assets of the government and its leader, Kim Jong Un.
The U. S.-drafted resolution, circulated to council members Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press, would also prohibit North Korea from exporting textiles and ban all countries from hiring and paying workers from the northeast Asian nation — two key sources of foreign currency.
The proposed resolution identifies nine cargo vessels that have carried out activities for North Korea prohibited by previous U. N. sanctions resolutions and would subject them to inspection by government warships, vessels or aircraft.
It would authorize the 192 other U. N. member states to stop these ships on the high seas to inspect their cargo without their consent and to use “all necessary measures” — which in U. N. language includes force — to carry out an inspection and direct the vessel to a port. This would also apply to any other vessels designated by the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions against North Korea.
U. S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said at an emergency council meeting earlier this week after North Korea’s sixth and largest nuclear test that the Trump administration wants to put the resolution to a vote Monday.
The resolution is likely to face opposition from North Korea’s neighbors and allies, China and Russia, who say previous sanctions aren’t working.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in urged Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to back stronger sanctions on the North, including an oil cutoff. But Putin worried that such moves would hurt North Korea’s people, said Yoon Young-chan, Moon’s chief press secretary.
