UN Imposes New Sanctions on N. Korea

The UN Security Council today punished North Korea for its recent nuclear test, imposing new sanctions, expanding an arms embargo, and authorizing ship searches on the high seas. Russia and China joined Western powers and nations from every region in unanimously approving the resolution. North Korea has said it would consider such a move an act of war.

US deputy ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo said the resolution provides "a strong and united international response." China's ambassador agreed but said it also "sends a positive signal" by calling for the resumption of six-party talks on the Pyongyang's nuclear programs. The resolution does not ban normal trade, but it calls on international financial institutions not to provide the country with grants, aid, or loans except for humanitarian, development, and denuclearization programs. (More North Korea stories.)