News / Koreas

UN postpones vote on North Korea sanctions

Tuesday, 01 March 2016 6:46 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 01 March 2016 6:45 PM ]

The file photo shows the United Nations Security Council in session. (AFP)

The United Nations Security Council has postponed a vote on imposing a new series of sanctions against North Korea over its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

The vote is now to be held Wednesday. The decision was made at Russia's request. The council had initially planned to vote on Tuesday.

Russia's UN mission declined to provide reasons for the delay, but spokesman Alexei Zaytsev said that "we confirm that the vote will take place tomorrow" at 10:00 a.m. (1500 GMT).

The United States has described the new sanctions as the toughest measures yet to hit North Korea.

The latest draft would require countries to take the unprecedented step of inspecting all cargo to and from North Korea, impose new trade restrictions and bar vessels suspected of carrying illegal goods for North Korea from ports.

The measure provides for a ban on exports of coal, iron and iron ore from North Korea. The measure does not apply if the revenue of such exports is used for "livelihood purposes" and not to fund Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The resolution would also ban sales of gold, titanium and rare earth minerals from North Korea and would prohibit the supply of aviation fuel including rocket fuel to the country.

Banking restrictions would be tightened and governments would be required to ban flights of any plane suspected of carrying contraband destined for North Korea.

The resolution would add 16 individuals and 12 entities to the UN sanctions blacklist including North Korea's NADA space agency and its intelligence agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau.

Additional luxury items such as watches and sports equipment would be added to the list of luxury items banned from sale to North Korea.

North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test on January 6, which was followed by the launch on February 7 of a satellite-bearing rocket described as ballistic missile test. Both tests were banned under previous UN resolutions against North Korea.

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