UN passes toughest sanctions yet against North Korea

The United Nations Security Council on December 22 unanimously approved harsh new sanctions against North Korea drafted by the US.

» North Korea's high growth thanks to 'improved economic management system'

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks after the vote at the Security Council. Photo: AFP.

New sanctions against North Korea drafted by the USpassed by the United Nations Security Council yesterday by a vote of 15-0 will deal a heavy blow to the North Korean economy, according toCNN.

Ms. Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the United Nations, said resolution 2397 would cut a total of 89 percent of petroleum and other refined petroleum products exported to North Korea, and ban countries from exporting industrial equipment, machinery, vehicles and metals to Pyongyang.

The resolution requires North Korean workers abroad to be sent back to North Korea within 24 months of its adoption. Countries are also asked to stop shipping illegal supplies to North Korea.by sea as well as bybanning the trade of coal and other banned goods to Pyongyang via this route.

According to Ms. Haley, the new sanctions were introduced because North Korea continued to test missiles and "chose the path of isolation" despite the United Nations having repeatedly given Pyongyang opportunities to integrate.

North Korea on November 29 launched the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, claiming the missile could reach all major US cities.

"Today, we hit harder," Haley said, highlighting the new sanctions.tougher than the sanctions passed in September.

Reacting to the Security Council vote, US President Donald Trump expressed his views on social network Twitter. "The world wants Peace, not Death," he wrote.

According to VNE