The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution to expand sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea’s ability to fund its nuclear weapons programme….
The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution to expand sanctions aimed at cutting North Korea’s ability to fund its nuclear weapons programme.
Asean nations accuse North Korea of ‘threatening peace, security and stability in the region and the world’
The new resolution prohibits UN member states from buying coal, iron ore, and other key commodities from North Korea, a move that’s meant to cut the country’s export revenue by US$1 billion annually, according to the Security Council members.
The resolution’s passage follows several weeks marked by pledges of cooperation followed by recriminations between the US and China over the need for, and extent of, additional sanctions.
Two intercontinental ballistic missile tests by Pyongyang in July increased tension between China and the US, which accused Beijing of doing too little rein in the militaristic objectives of its traditional ally and trading partner.
The latest ban on purchases of North Korean goods also includes lead and seafood.
“Today was a good day at the UN. We’ ll need many more good days”, said US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, who presented the new resolution to the Security Council. Commodities covered by the ban represents “a loss of one third of [North Korea’s] exports and hard currency.”
“China has always insisted on realizing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, upholding peace and stability on the peninsula”, China’s UN Ambassador Liu Jieyi said. “The fact that the Council adopted this resolution unanimously demonstrates that the international community is united in its position regarding the nuclear issue of the peninsula.”
