North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

The Security Council has imposed tougher sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), banning its exports, in response to the country’s launches of ballistic missiles of possible intercontinental range.

In a resolution adopted unanimously, the 15-member body strongly condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on July 28, which the country stated were of “intercontinental” range.

The Council reaffirmed previous Council decisions that the North Korea should not conduct further launches using ballistic missile technology, nuclear tests, or any other provocation.

The Council moved to significantly strengthen the sanctions on the country, imposing a full ban on the export of coal, iron and iron ore from the North Korea.

Previously these items could be exported for livelihood purposes, for a limited amount.

The Council also prohibited countries from increasing the total number of work authorisations for North Korea’s nationals.

It banned new joint ventures or cooperative entities with North Korea entities or individuals as well as additional investments in existing joint ventures.

“Member States are requested to report to the Security Council, within 90 days of the adoption of this resolution, on concrete measures they have taken to effectively implement this resolution.

The Council also designated several additional individuals for a travel ban and assets freeze, as well as designating entities for an assets freeze.

On the political front, the Council calls for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and reiterated its support for the commitments set forth in the Joint Statement of Sept. 19, 2005 issued by China, North Korea, Japan, South Korea, Russian, and the U.S.

The commitments include that the goal of the Six-Party Talks is the verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner, and that the U.S. and the North Korea respect each other’s sovereignty and exist together peacefully.

The U.S. welcomed the Security Council’s sanctions banning North Korea’s exports, saying it had put North Korea on notice.

“Today, the full Security Council has come together to put the North Korean dictator on notice, and this time, the Council has matched its words and actions.

“The resolution we have passed is a strong, united step toward holding North Korea accountable for its behavior,” U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said at the Security Council. (NAN)