Kerry: UNSC Resolution on N Korea Has Toughest Sanctions in Over 2 Decades

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the UNSC unanimously adopted the resolution expanding sanctions against North Korea.

“This resolution contains the toughest set of sanctions imposed by the Security Council in more than two decades, and includes mandatory cargo inspections, sectoral sanctions on North Korean trade in natural resources, and other rigorous provisions unprecedented in the North Korean sanctions regime,” Kerry stated.

The sanctions imposed by the resolution are slated to affect multiple sectors of North Korea's economy, make all cargo going to and from the country subject to inspection and limit or prohibit the nation's export of coal, iron, gold, titanium and rare natural minerals. The resolution also bans conventional arms sale as well as delivery of aviation and rocket fuel to Pyongyang.

US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said on Tuesday that the resolution introduces the strongest set of sanctions imposed by the United Nations in the past 20 years.

On January 6, North Korea said it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, which triggered a wave of condemnation from the international community. On February 7, Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test, and launched a ballistic missile in February in violation of the Security Council resolutions.