News / Koreas

Security Council to vote fresh North Korea sanctions

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 6:03 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 01 March 2016 7:04 AM ]

An overall view of the UN Security Council in session ©AFP

The UN Security Council is set to vote on a US-engineered resolution that would impose a package of unprecedented sanctions on North Korea after its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

The council is expected to convene at 2000 GMT on Tuesday to decide on the resolution that was presented by the US last week, according to Washington’s mission to the UN.

US Ambassador Samantha Power said “if adopted, it will break new ground and represent the strongest new set of sanctions in two decades.

The new sanctions would require UN member states, for the first time, to inspect all cargo going to and from North Korea by air, sea and land. A complete ban would also be imposed on all types of weapons transfers to and from the country.

On January 6, Pyongyang said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, vowing to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the United States.

A month later, North Korea launched a long-range rocket that it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and South Korea denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Power further said the new punitive measures would send “an unambiguous and unyielding message to [Pyongyang]. The world will not accept your proliferation. There will be consequences for your actions,” she added.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power ©AFP

Washington has said it had submitted the proposed resolution after reaching an agreement with China. Russia, however, said it needed time to analyze the content of the draft resolution.

Pyongyang has already been under UN sanctions over launching missiles considered by the US and South Korea as ballistic and aimed at delivering nuclear warheads.

The North accuses the US of plotting with its regional allies to topple the government in Pyongyang, stressing that will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward it.

It also wants the US to dissolve its military command in South Korea.

Earlier this month, South Korea called on the Security Council to adopt “extraordinary” measures in response to its neighbor’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

Amid the new wave on tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Washington and Seoul have reportedly worked out an agreement on the deployment of an advanced US missile system, called THAAD, to South Korea. They said they would begin talks on the issue at the earliest time possible.

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