UNSC Adopts Resolution Expanding Sanctions Against North Korea

The UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed on Wednesday the resolution expanding sanctions against North Korea.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, the vote on the UN Security Council draft resolution introducing tougher sanctions against North Korea was postponed until Wednesday at Russia's request.

“The result of the voting is the following: the draft resolution received 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2270,” current UNSC Chair, Angolan Foreign Affairs Minister Georges Chikoti 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.

On Tuesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon thanked Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for the constructive and important role that Russia plays vis-a-vis the DPRK and the Korean peninsula.