On Monday, the UN Security Council unanimously approved new sanctions against North Korea following its sixth nuclear test on September 3rd.
With the support of China and Russia, the Council approved the US initiative – with 15 votes in favor and 0 against- to ban textile exports and restrict shipments of natural gas and refined petroleum products to North Korea.
The United States had to remove certain measures from its proposal to secure the endorsement of Beijing and Moscow, such as a total oil embargo or the freezing of assets of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
We are not looking for a war,”
said US Ambassador Nikki Haley.
The resolution also restricts UN member countries from granting new work permits to North Korean citizens. Some 93,000 nationals work overseas, becoming a major source of income to finance the Pyongyang armaments program, according to a US source.
In addition it enables inspection operations on ships suspected of transporting cargoes affected by sanctions to North Korea, albeit with the authorization of the country under whose flag they are registered.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy, among others, agreed that the new resolution is very solid and balanced and that it expresses the unity and determination of the international institution to address the problem.