UN sharpens sanctions on North Korea following December missile launch

USPA News - The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Tuesday sharpened its sanctions on Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and demanded an end to its nuclear and ballistic tests. The sanctions come as the Council reiterates its condemnation of the DPRK`s December 12, 2012 missile launch involving a long-range Unha-3 rocket, which was reported from a site on the country`s west coast.

According to media reports, it soared over Okinawa, Japan, dropping debris into the sea off the Korean Peninsula, the East China Sea and waters near the Philippines. Immediately afterward, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the test regrettable because it defied a unified and strong call from the international community, beside being a clear violation of a Council resolution, in which the Council demanded that the DPRK not conduct any launch using ballistic missile technology. In a statement, the UN said among those named as targets of the travel ban and asset freeze of the sanctions regime are officials of the country`s missile launch facility and the satellite control center, as well as a banking official involved in the construction of the missile. Companies and committees involved in the launch are also named as subjects to the asset freeze. In addition, the Council also called on Member States to exercise "enhanced vigilance" in preventing the transfer of funds related to the DPRK`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs. At the same time, it reaffirmed its desire for a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the situation and called for the resumption of the so-called Six Party Talks on the matter. Ban also called on the DPRK to refrain from taking any measures that could increase tensions on the Korean peninsula, including any further launches that use ballistic missile technology or a nuclear test. He also underlined the importance of dialogue to resolve the issue.