UN Security Council toughens N. Korea sanctions

August 6, 2017

NEW YORK- The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Saturday tightening sanctions against North Korea over its launches of two intercontinental ballistic missiles last month.

The US-sponsored resolution bans North Korean exports of coal, iron, iron ore, lead, lead ore and seafood, a measure which diplomatic sources said would slash the country's annual export revenue by one billion dollars, or a third of the total.

The resolution said the Security Council "condemns in the strongest terms" the missile tests conducted by North Korea on July 4 and July 28, which the country has stated were ICBM launches.

The eighth sanctions resolution adopted by the Security Council on Pyongyang also expressed "its determination to take further significant measures" in the event of a further North Korean nuclear test or missile launch.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a statement that the resolution clearly demonstrated the international community's determination to elevate the pressure on North Korea to a much higher level.

North Korea needs to comply with Security Council resolutions and stop provocations, including nuclear and missile tests, while acting immediately toward denuclearization, Abe said.

"China and Russia voted with us. Very big financial impact!" US President Donald Trump said on Twitter, referring to the two North Korean allies. The resolution is "is the single largest economic sanctions package ever on North Korea," he said.

The sanctions resolution also prohibits UN member countries from accepting more workers from North Korea while banning new joint ventures with the country and new investment in existing joint ventures.

The resolution adds nine individuals and four entities to the UN sanctions blacklist, banning their travel and freezing their assets. It asks Interpol to issue special notices for designated individuals.

The sanctions resolution also bans North Korea's deployment and use of chemical weapons.Jiji Press