UN again tightens sanctions on DPRK

Security Council bans exports of textiles, caps crude oil imports

The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted on Monday to strengthen sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its latest nuclear test, banning its textile exports and capping its imports of crude oil.

Resolution 2375 contains the strongest terms against the DPRK, which said it successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb on Sept 2 that can be carried by an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The resolution bans DPRK's textile exports, worth nearly $800 million a year, and reduces about 30 percent of the oil provided to DPRK by cutting off more than 55 percent of refined petroleum products going to the country.

It also bans natural gas and other oil byproducts that could be used as substitutes for the petroleum. The resolution prevents remittances from DPRK laborers overseas.

With the new measures, 90 percent of the DPRK's exports are now banned, Xinhua News Agency reported. Last month a Security Council resolution bans DPRK exports of coal iron and seafood.

The council further called for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks which involves the US, DPRK, ROK, Japan, China and Russia, expressing its commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic and political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

It's the ninth resolution adopted by the council since 2006 over the DPRK's nuclear tests and missile programs.

Security Council members welcomed the resolution, expressing that sanctions alone won't resolve the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and diplomacy can end the issue.

China has consistently sought denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, along with maintaining peace and stability on it and seeking solutions through dialogue and negotiations, Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, said after the vote.

"Today's resolution reflected these principles and demonstrated the consistent stance of the international community to object DPRK developing nuclear and ballistic missile ability and maintain the nuclear non-proliferation system," Liu said.

"What's urgent is to fully and strictly implement the Security Council resolutions and for relevant parties to resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, Liu said.

China urged the DPRK to "take seriously the expectations and will of the international community" to stop its nuclear and missile tests and return to the track of working toward a denuclearized peninsula, Liu said.

The resolution needs to be implemented "concretely and fully", Liu said.

The envoy called for responses and support for the "realistic and feasible" approach put forward by China and Russia.

That is a combination of China's suspension-for-suspension proposal and dual-track approach and the Russian step-by-step proposal.

"We hope the US will put in its DPRK policies its stance of not seeking regime change nor the collapse of DPRK's government, not seeking an accelerated reunification of the peninsula nor sending its military north of the 38th Parallel," Liu said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said: "Today's resolution would not have happened without the strong relationship that has developed between President Trump and Chinese President Xi, and we greatly appreciate both teams working with us."

"We are not looking for war," Haley said. "The North Korean regime has not yet passed the point of no return. If it agrees to stop its nuclear program, it can reclaim its future. If it proves it can live in peace, the world will live in peace with it.

"On the other hand, if North Korea continues its dangerous path, we will continue with further pressure. The choice is theirs."

Cho Tae-yul, Republic of Korea ambassador to the UN, said the ROK fully supports the resolution. The ROK's goal is to achieve a peaceful negotiation to the issue, he said.

wanglinyan@chinadailyusa.com