Obama: UNSC New Sanctions Should Force N Korea to Abandon Nuke Programs

The unanimous vote by the UN Security Council earlier on Wednesday to expand sanctions against North Korea should force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programs, President Barack Obama said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the UNSC unanimously adopted the resolution expanding sanctions against North Korea

"Today, the international community, speaking with one voice, has sent Pyongyang a simple message: North Korea must abandon these dangerous programs and choose a better path for its people," Obama stated.

The sanctions imposed by the resolution are slated to affect multiple sectors of North Korea's economy, make all cargo going to and from the country subject to inspection and limit or prohibit the nation's export of coal, iron, gold, titanium and rare natural minerals. The resolution also bans conventional arms sale as well as delivery of aviation and rocket fuel to Pyongyang.

US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said on Tuesday that the resolution introduces the strongest set of sanctions imposed by the United Nations in the past 20 years.

On January 6, North Korea said it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, which triggered a wave of condemnation from the international community. On February 7, Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test, and launched a ballistic missile in February in violation of the Security Council resolutions.