US, China introduce resolution against N Korea

The US and China on Tuesday introduced a joint resolution at the United Nations Security Council that would intensify sanctions on North Korea for its nuclear test last month, targeting the country’s banking activities and its diplomats.

“The sanctions contained in this draft resolution will significantly impede North Korea’s ability to develop further its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programmes,” US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice told reporters.

These sanctions—as well as a commitment to take further significant measures in the event of another launch or nuclear test—will demonstrate clearly to North Korea the continued costs of its provocations, she added.

Rice aid the resolution will take the UN sanctions imposed on North Korea to the next level, breaking new ground and imposing significant new legal obligations.

“For example, for the first time ever, this resolution targets the illicit activities of North Korean diplomatic personnel, North Korean banking relationships, illicit transfers of bulk cash, and new travel restrictions,” she noted.

The resolution builds upon previous three UNSC Resolutions —— numbers 1718, 1874, and 2087 as a result of which North Korea will be subject to some of the toughest sanctions imposed by the United Nations.

“The breadth and scope of these sanctions is exceptional and demonstrates the strength of the international community’s commitment to denuclearisation and the demand that North Korea comply with its international obligations,” Rice said.

In Washington, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters that the draft resolution, which is agreed upon by the US and China, provides a credible and strong response that further impedes the growth of North Korean’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and its ability to engage in proliferation activities.

“We anticipate adoption of this important resolution later this week,” he said.

“This demonstrates an international consensus about the urgent need for North Korea to abide by its international obligations, to get right with the world when it comes to its nuclear weapons ambitions and, in doing so, to begin to end the isolation that the government and the country of North Korea has found itself in because of its pursuit of nuclear weapons,” he said in response to a question.

Carney said North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which will only further isolate them and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

“We have urged the North Korean leadership to heed President Obama’s call to choose the path of peace and come into compliance with its international obligations,” he said when asked about new threats coming from North Korea.

“These provocations are not new, but you know, they certainly are not helpful to the North Korean people and they’re not helpful to the effort to bring North Korea into compliance with its international obligations,” Carney said.

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