UN Security Council adopts resolution in response to DPRK's fifth nuclear test
The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution to tighten sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in response to the country's fifth nuclear test.
In the new resolution, the 15-nation council decided that the DPRK shall not supply, sell or transfer coal, iron and iron ore from its territory, but excluded transactions for livelihood purposes.
The council sets an upper limit on the DPRK's coal exporting, saying the total exports from the DPRK do not exceed 400.9 million U.S. dollars or 7.5 million metric tons per year, whichever is lower, starting on Jan. 1, 2017.
In addition, the Security Council bans the sale of copper, nickel, silver, zinc and statues from the DPRK, according to the resolution.
On Sept. 9, the DPRK conducted a nuclear warhead explosion test. It was Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test, which followed the previous one by eight months.
"The Chinese government firmly opposes such an act," said Chinese Ambassador to the UN Liu Jieyi.
"The resolution adopted by the council today demonstrates the uniform stand of the international community against the development by the DPRK of its nuclear and missile programs and for the maintenance of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," said Liu.
Liu pointed out that the relevant measures, as resolution notes, are not intended to produce negative consequences on DPRK's humanitarian situation and the livelihood of its people, nor to affect normal economic and trade activities.
"China urges the parties concerned to effectively implement the relevant provisions the council resolution in its entirety," he added.
Liu noted that the top priority at hand is for the parties concerned to resume dialogue and negotiations and re-launch the six-party talks as soon as possible to safeguard the denuclearization process and realize peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
"China urges the parties concerned to push forward in parallel the negotiations on the denuclearization on one hand and on the replacement of the armistice with the peace treaty on the other," said Liu.
After the council adopted the resolution, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the new resolution "sends an unequivocal message" that the DPRK must cease further provocative actions and comply fully with its international obligations.
"The DPRK must reverse its course and move onto the path of denuclearization through sincere dialogue," said Ban, while calling on the international community to improve living conditions of the people of the DPRK.
So far, the Security Council has adopted six resolutions to curb the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs.
In March, the council imposed severe sanctions, including an export ban and asset freeze, on the DPRK in response to its H-bomb test carried out in January.
The country also conducted underground nuclear tests respectively in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
