UN security council to vote on North Korean sanctions
{{date|October 14, 2006}}
{{North Korea nuclear program}}
The {{w|United Nations security council}} is expected to vote later today on whether to impose {{w|sanctions}} on [[North Korea]] after the country announced its first [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear bomb]] test last week. The current draft of the resolution would ban North Korea from importing any materials that could be used in the construction of nuclear weapons, it would also restrict international travel of those involved in the country's weapons program and their family members. The five permanent members of the council and [[Japan]] met on Friday morning to discuss the wording of the bill which should be put to a vote by the full fifteen members this afternoon.

The ban also covers the purchase of large scale {{w|conventional weaponry}} (such as tanks, ships, aircraft and missiles) but falls short of an outright ban on the import of military hardware. Imports of luxury goods will also be restricted. In the financial sector the resolution will also authorise the freezing of assets belonging to those suspected of involvement with North Korea's weapons program.
<!--[[Image:Hill christopher.jpg|thumb|left|Christopher Hill, US Assistant Secretary of State for Asia last night commented on N. Korean "threats."]]-->
The new resolution will come five days after North Korea announced its first nuclear weapons test on Monday. The test has come under international condemnation, for which North Korea has blamed the [[United States]]. State news channel KNCA said that the United States "hostile policy ... has gone beyond the tolerance limit and a dangerous atmosphere of confrontation, reminiscent of that on the eve of war, is now prevailing on the Korean Peninsula." In response a Christopher Hill, US {{w|Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs|Assistant Secretary of State}} for the area, called the comments "belligerent threats" and said that the US was not nervous of them.

A year ago North Korea walked out of 'six-party' talks (between both Koreas, the United States, [[China]], [[Russia]] and Japan) that were set up to rid {{w|Pyonyang}} of its nuclear program in return for economic incentives. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Alexyev, said that North Korea was now willing to rejoin the talks, previously the country had left in protest over US financial sanctions.

Today's vote may be delayed by Russia and China who have requested last minute alterations to the bill. Although U.S. Ambassador [[John R. Bolton]] said last night that the changes were "technical" and that the vote would only be delayed by a few hours. The objections by the two countries appears to centre around the possible use of military personnel to enforce the resolution. China wish to ensure that the bill cannot be used (under {{w|Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter|Chapter 7}} of the {{w|UN charter}}) as grounds or justification for military action against North Korea. They are also said to be worried about the wording of a section of the text that would allow nations to search any cargo to or from North Korea.

In the event of action against North Korea or for the countries economy to be hit China may suffer the most out of all of the nations on the council. They fear the influx of refugees into the country.

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Koreanukes&slug=UNSC+to+sanction+N+Korea&id=20495&callid=0&category=International
|title=UNSC to vote on N Korea sanctions
|author=Amitabh Revi
|pub=NDTV.com
|date=OCtober 14, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-10-14T010703Z_01_PEK113026_RTRUKOC_0_US-KOREA-NORTH.xml&pageNumber=1&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage1
|title=UN expects to slap sanctions on N. Korea Saturday
|author=
|pub=Reuters
|date=October 13, 2006}}

*{{source|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-10-13-korea-sanctions_x.htm
|title=Security Council agrees on N. Korea sanctions, schedules Saturday vote
|author=
|pub=USA Today
|date=October 13, 2006}}

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[[Category:United Nations]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:North Korea]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:John R. Bolton]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United Nations Security Council]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Korean Peninsula]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]]

[[fr:Le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU étudie d'éventuelles sanctions contre la Corée du Nord]]
The sanctions on North Korea after the country announced its first nuclear bomb test last week. The current draft of the resolution would ban North Korea from importing any materials that could be used in the construction of nuclear weapons, it would also restrict international travel of those involved in the country's weapons program and their family members. The five permanent members of the council and Japan met on Friday morning to discuss the wording of the bill which should be put to a vote by the full fifteen members this afternoon.

The ban also covers the purchase of large scale  (such as tanks, ships, aircraft and missiles) but falls short of an outright ban on the import of military hardware. Imports of luxury goods will also be restricted. In the financial sector the resolution will also authorise the freezing of assets belonging to those suspected of involvement with North Korea's weapons program.

The new resolution will come five days after North Korea announced its first nuclear weapons test on Monday. The test has come under international condemnation, for which North Korea has blamed the United States. State news channel KNCA said that the United States "hostile policy ... has gone beyond the tolerance limit and a dangerous atmosphere of confrontation, reminiscent of that on the eve of war, is now prevailing on the Korean Peninsula." In response a Christopher Hill, US Assistant Secretary of State for the area, called the comments "belligerent threats" and said that the US was not nervous of them.

A year ago North Korea walked out of 'six-party' talks (between both Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan) that were set up to rid  of its nuclear program in return for economic incentives. The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Alexander Alexyev, said that North Korea was now willing to rejoin the talks, previously the country had left in protest over US financial sanctions.

Today's vote may be delayed by Russia and China who have requested last minute alterations to the bill. Although U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton said last night that the changes were "technical" and that the vote would only be delayed by a few hours. The objections by the two countries appears to centre around the possible use of military personnel to enforce the resolution. China wish to ensure that the bill cannot be used (under Chapter 7 of the ) as grounds or justification for military action against North Korea. They are also said to be worried about the wording of a section of the text that would allow nations to search any cargo to or from North Korea.

In the event of action against North Korea or for the countries economy to be hit China may suffer the most out of all of the nations on the council. They fear the influx of refugees into the country.

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United Nations Politics and conflicts North Korea Asia John R. Bolton United States North America United Nations Security Council Nuclear weapons Korean Peninsula Nuclear proliferation