The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new set of draconian US-drafted sanctions on North Korea that will further strangle its energy supplies and tighten restrictions on smuggling and the use of North Korean workers overseas.
Hailing the unity of the Security Council vote and referring to leader Kim Jong Un, Haley said that, « we will continue to match the Kim regime’s choice of aggressive action with actions of international sanctions. » North Korea, she said, is « this most tragic example of evil in the modern world. »
President Donald Trump chimed in with a tweet noting the vote. « The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 in favor of additional Sanctions on North Korea. The World wants Peace, not Death! » he said.
Resolution 2397 cuts exports of gasoline, diesel and other refined oil products by a total of 89%, Haley said.
The resolution also bans exports of industrial equipment, machinery, transportation vehicles and industrial metals to North Korea. It requires countries using North Korean laborers to send them back home no later than 24 months from the adoption of the resolution.
The resolution also requires countries to stop ships from illegally providing oil to North Korea through ship-to-ship transfers and prohibits them from smuggling North Korean coal and other prohibited commodities by sea.
Kelly Magsamen, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, said the resolution represented another sign of international unity, but added a caution. While the restrictions on oil « will have an effect on the North Korean economy, » Magsamen said, « whether that produces the North Koreans at the negotiating table I think is an open question. »
The UN levied sanctions against North Korea in August and September. The US took unilateral steps against the country in July, August, September, October and November.
