UN votes new sanctions on DPRK

The United Nations Security Council votes to approve a resolution that would dramatically tighten existing restrictions on the DPRK at the United Nations Headquarters in New York March 2, 2016.[Photo/Agencies]

"Today's unanimous action by the Security Council has sent a clear message that the DPRK must return to full compliance with its international obligations," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement.

He said the firm response by the Security Council should put an end to the cycle of provocation and lead to the resumption of dialogue in accordance with the unified view of the international community.

The resolution expands sanctions against the DPRK by imposing a ban on all exports, including coal, iron, iron ore, gold, titanium ore, vanadium ore and rare earth metals, and banning the supply of all types of aviation fuel, including rocket fuel, according to a UN press release.

It also requires all states to inspect all cargo to and from the DPRK, not just that suspected of containing prohibited items, as was previously the case. The resolution also bans the leasing or chartering of vessels or airplanes, crew services to the country, and the registration of vessels, while calling on states to de-register any DPRK-owned or controlled vessels.

The resolution also states that all countries shall ban any flights and deny entry into their ports of any vessel suspected of carrying prohibited items.

US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry applauded the resolution on Wednesday.

"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 said in a statement.

The US Treasury Department on Wednesday announced a blacklisting of two entities and 10 individuals for ties to the DPRK government and its banned weapons programs. It said the State Department will blacklist three entities and two individuals for similar reasons.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com