UN extends sanctions on North Korea

Resolution urges DPRK to abandon its nuclear ambitions immediately

The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to extend sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in response to its repeated missile launches.

China and the US had jointly proposed a resolution blacklisting additional 15 DPRK entities and individuals, including Koryo Bank and the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army.

The resolution urged the DPRK to abandon its nuclear programs and cease all related activities immediately.

"The resolution adopted by the council today has demonstrated the united position of the international community against the development of nuclear and missile programs by the DPRK," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN.

He said that China calls for the full implementation of Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK and reaching a settlement on the nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations.

China has "always insisted on the denuclearization of the [Korean] peninsula" and has "always been firmly opposed to chaos and conflict on the peninsula", he said.

China previously proposed a dual-track solution to the issue through progress in denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism. It also put forth the "suspension for suspension" proposal, which calls on the DPRK to suspend its nuclear missile activities while the US and Republic of Korea suspend their military exercises.

"These are pragmatic and feasible proposals which we hope will get serious consideration and constructive response by the parties concerned," Liu said. "On this part, China is open to helpful proposals by all parties."

He added that China will keep pushing for a resolution within the framework of the Six-Party Talks, which involve China, the US, the DPRK, the ROK, Japan and Russia.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said that "pressure will not cease until North Korea complies fully with this council's resolutions".

Foreign ministers had previously gathered to demand a cessation in the DPRK's activities and Friday's resolution "shows that these were not just words", she said.

The DPRK condemned the US again on Saturday over the US' launching of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) interception test, according to Xinhua.

The US launched a missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base in central California last Tuesday in a test meant to intercept an incoming ICBM over the Pacific, it was reported.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com