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UN imposes tough North Korea sanctions | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution significantly expanding international sanctions against North Korea. | |
Correspondents say the new measures amount to some of the toughest against North Korea in two decades. | |
The vote is in response to North Korea's nuclear test last month. | |
The sanctions will result in all cargo going to and from the country being inspected, while new individuals and organisations have been blacklisted. | |
"Today, the international community, speaking with one voice, has sent Pyongyang a simple message: North Korea must abandon these dangerous programmes and choose a better path for its people," US President Barack Obama said in a statement. | |
The United States and North Korea's long-standing ally China spent seven weeks discussing the new sanctions. | |
Economy fears | |
In addition to the mandatory cargo inspections the sanctions also include a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to North Korea, and expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in "illicit activities". | |
The US, its Western allies and Japan were eager for the new sanctions to be speedily put in place, and pushed for them to be as wide-ranging as possible. | |
But China made clear that it did not want to impose measures that could jeopardise the stability of North Korea and cause its economy to collapse. | |
North Korea earlier said it would no longer take part in UN Human Rights Council sessions examining its rights record. | |
Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong accused the council of "politicisation, selectivity and double standards" and of "singling out" North Korea for criticism. | Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong accused the council of "politicisation, selectivity and double standards" and of "singling out" North Korea for criticism. |
The UN council has repeatedly criticised North Korea over its treatment of its citizens. | The UN council has repeatedly criticised North Korea over its treatment of its citizens. |