North Korea - UN sanctions

Security Council approves tougher sanctions on Pyongyang over nuclear test

Article published on the 2009-06-12 Latest update 2009-06-13 10:11 TU

Haeju, a village on the North Korean coast, where military units are stationed, 12 June 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

The UN Security Council on Friday voted in favour of a resolution putting new sanctions on North Korea because of its nuclear missile test in May. All 15 council members endorsed a draft resolution sponsored by Britain, France, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

The sanctions include new financial restrictions, a tighter arms embargo with the exception of light weapons, and inspections of cargo suspected of containing banned items related to North Korea's missile activities.

Britain's UN deputy ambassador, Philip Parham, said, "North Korea should return to the negotiating table and engage seriously with the international community."

Asked about how the Council would react to any new North Korean test, Parham said, "We would take it badly. But we can't speculate now. Our emphasis has to be on implementing this resolution as effectively as possible."

It is a response to North Korea's underground nuclear test on May 25, and missile firings that followed.

The resolution requires North Korea to, "immediately retract its announcement of withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty" and return immediately to the six-party talks on a nuclear-free Korean peninsula without precondition.

It also calls on member states to prevent the transfer of assets that could contribute to North Korea's missile programs, and gives 30 days to a UN sanctions panel to extend a list of North Korean entities, goods and individuals to be subjected to an assets freeze and 2006 travel ban.