UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting Regarding North Korea

UN Security Council to Hold Emergency Meeting Regarding North Korea

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday on North Korea’s nuclear test at the request of the United States, Japan, Britain, France and South Korea, the U.S. mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Sunday, The Hill reports.

North Korea conducted its latest and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, which is in violation of UN resolutions. North Korean authorities claim that they tested an advanced hydrogen bomb for a long-range missile.

Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs. The council last month unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea over its two long-range missile launches in July. The resolution aimed to slash by a third the Asian state’s $3 billion annual export revenue by banning exports of coal, iron, lead and seafood.

The Hill writes that diplomats have said the council could now consider banning Pyongyang’s textile exports and the country’s national airline, stop supplies of oil to the government and military. The ban would additionally prevent North Koreans from working abroad and add top officials to a blacklist to subject them to an asset freeze and travel ban.

Japan asked Washington last week to propose new sanctions after Pyongyang fired a medium-range missile over North Japan on Tuesday. However, the U.S. traditionally drafts resolutions to impose sanctions on North Korea, first negotiating with China before formally involving the remaining 13 council members, The Hill adds.

Following the nuclear test on Sunday, Britain, Japan and South Korea pushed for new UN sanctions, while China and Russia stated they would “appropriately deal” with North Korea.
A resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass.