UN Security Council extends DPRK sanctions

The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to extend sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in response to recent missile launches.

China and the US had jointly proposed a resolution blacklisting an additional 15 North Korean entities and individuals, including the Korean People's Army's Strategic Rocket force and Koryo Bank, according to Reuters.

"The resolution adopted by the council today has demonstrated the united position of the international community against the development of nuclear and missile programs by the DPRK," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN.

He said that China calls on the full implementation of Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK and reach a settlement on the nuclear issue through dialogue. China has "always insisted on the denuclearization of the [Korean] peninsula" and has "always been firmly opposed to chaos and conflict on the peninsula."

China previously proposed a dual-track solution to the issue through progress in denuclearization and the establishment of a peace mechanism. It also put forth the "suspension for suspension" proposal, which calls on the DPRK to suspend its nuclear missile activities while the US and Republic of Korea suspend their military exercises.

"These are pragmatic and feasible proposals which we hope will get serious consideration and constructive response by the parties concerned," Liu said. "On this part, China is open to helpful proposals by all parties."

He added that China will keep pushing for a resolution within the framework of the six-party talks, multilateral negotiations held between China, the US, the DPRK, the ROK, Japan, and Russia.

Nikki Haley, the US representative to the UN, praised the adoption of the resolution, saying that "pressure will not cease until North Korea complies fully with this council's resolutions."

Foreign ministers had previously gathered to demand a cessation in the DPRK's activities and Friday's resolution "shows that these were not just words," she said.

amyhe@chinadailyusa.com