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North Korea
UN Security Council considers sanctions against Pyongyang
Article published on the 2009-06-11 Latest update 2009-06-11 10:47 TU
A North Korean soldier standing guard near Sinuiju on 14 April 2009
(Photo: Reuters)
The United Nations Security Council plans to discuss on Thursday new sanctions on North Korea for its rocket test in April. They could be passed as soon as Friday. Meanwhile, the US has said that there are no signs of a North Korean military buildup.
The draft UN resolution, written by the United States, and endorsed by the four permanent members of the Security Council, including Japan and South Korea, is targeted towards the country’s overseas funds.
The resolution is expected to be adopted Friday morning. It is likely to draw backlash from North Korea, which threatened to test fire an anticontinental ballistic missille, unless the United Nations apologises for punishing it.
The UN draft condemns in strong terms North Korea’s nuclear test last month calls on it to not to conduct any further test or any launch using ballistic missile technology.
The Security Council calls upon states to inspect suspicious sea, air and land cargoes, an action condemned by North Korea .
US Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said that if the resolution is passed, “it would bite in a meaningful way”.
North Korea has been subject to sanctions for years, as a result of military moves condemned by regional powers.
South Korea’s defence minister accused North Korea of a move aimed at testing a long-range missile that could hit US territory, and a mid-range missile that can hit all of South Korea and Japan .
Meanwhile, in Brussels, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said that there are no signs that North Korea is amassing troops.
"I don't think there has been a commensurate change in the posture of the North Korean military that would suggest an intent to undertake operations", he said. "The military operations are pretty routine at this point, so that's a source of comfort".
 New UN sanctions would target overseas funds |
