UN votes to toughen sanctions on North Korea

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to adopt tougher sanctions against North Korea. The council adopted a draft resolution, negotiated for weeks by US and Chinese officials, that called for inspecting all cargo going in and out of the country, banning all weapons trade and expanding the list of individuals facing sanctions.

Diplomats said the resolution contained the most stringent measures yet to undermine the North’s ability to raise money and secure technology and other resources for its nuclear weapons.

Much depends, however, on whether China – North Korea's leading trade partner and diplomatic shield – will enforce it.

In previous resolutions, the council has sought to hobble North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, but the country has repeatedly flouted those measures. In January, it conducted its fourth nuclear test and launched a rocket in February, even as diplomats were negotiating the current resolution.

The measure's toughest component would require all countries to inspect all cargo passing through their territory to or from North Korea. It would also require countries to expel North Korean diplomats accused of carrying out illicit activities. It would prohibit North Korea from sending its martial arts experts to train police officers in foreign countries. – (New York Times service)