North Korea’s state media has warned that enactment of the law would result in “miserable ruin” ahead of its passing, along with trade restrictions approved by the UN.
US President Barack Obama welcomed the sanctions as ‘a firm, united, and appropriate response’ to the January 6 nuclear test and February 7 rocket launch.
‘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.
Banking restrictions will be tightened and governments will be required to ban flights of any plane suspected of carrying contraband destined for North Korea.
The resolution tightens an arms embargo by banning sales of small arms and bars vessels suspected of carrying illegal goods for North Korea from ports.
‘These are among the toughest measures we have agreed against any country in the world, certainly the toughest ever against the DPRK,’ said British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft, referring to North Korea by its official acronym.
Under the measure, UN member states will expel North Korean diplomats engaged in smuggling or other illegal activities.
A total of 16 individuals and 12 entities were added to a UN sanctions blacklist, including North Korea’s NADA space agency and its spy agency, the Reconnaissance General Bureau.
Luxury watches, snowmobiles, recreational watercraft such as Sea-Doos and sports equipment are banned from sale to North Korea, in sanctions targeting Pyongyang’s elites.
