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Tensions could heighten as UN approves new sanctions on North Korea

Bloomberg Published on Tue, Sep 12, 2017 / 7:41 AM GMT+8

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(Sept 12): The United Nations Security Council approved new sanctions aimed at punishing North Korea for its latest missile and nuclear tests after the US dropped key demands in order to win support from Russia and China.

The 15-member Security Council passed the resolution unanimously Monday following a week of talks that began when Kim Jong Un’s regime tested its most powerful nuclear bomb. The resolution seeks to cut imports of refined petroleum products to 2 million barrels a year, ban textile exports and give countries the ability to freeze assets of cargo ships whose operators don’t agree to inspections on the high seas.

“We are acting in response to a dangerous new development,” US envoy Nikki Haley told the Security Council after the vote. “These are the strongest measures ever imposed on North Korea,” she said, adding that the US remains willing to act alone to stop Kim’s nuclear program if necessary.