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UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council on Friday punished North Korea for its second nuclear test, imposing tough new sanctions, expanding an arms embargo and authorizing ship searches on the high seas.
In a sign of growing global anger at Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the council, the North’s closest allies Russia and China joined Western powers and nations from every region in unanimously approving the sanctions resolution.
U.S. Deputy Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo said the resolution provides “a strong and united international response” to North Korea’s test in defiance of a ban imposed after its first underground atomic blast in October 2006.
“The message of this resolution is clear: North Korea’s behavior is unacceptable to the international community and the international community is determined to respond,” DiCarlo said. “North Korea should return without conditions to a process of peaceful dialogue.”
China’s UN Ambassador Zhang Yesui said the nuclear test had affected regional peace and security and strongly urged Pyongyang to promote the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
He said the resolution demonstrates the international community’s “firm opposition” to the atomic blast, “but also sends a positive signal” by calling for the resumption of six-party talks aimed at dismantling North Korea’s nuclear program.
He also said it showed the council’s determination to resolve the issue “peacefully through dialogue and negotiations.”
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