The UN Security Council today unanimously approved expanded sanctions and a trade and arms embargo against North Korea over its May 25th nuclear test.
The sanctions resolution bans all weapons exports from North Korea and most arms imports into the communist state. It authorises UN member states to inspect North Korean sea, air and land cargo, requiring them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.
Both China and Russia, which had been reluctant to support punitive measures against North Korea in the past, supported the US-drafted resolution, which is now binding under international law.
The United States envoy to the United Nations welcomed the Security Council's move.
"We're very pleased the Security Council just within an hour and a half passed a brand new resolution," US ambassador Susan Rice told a White House briefing.
She called the resolution "unprecedented" and "innovative" with a sanctions regime that has "teeth that will bite."
Reuters