The UN Security Council Intensifies Sanctions Against North Korea

On Monday, September 11, the United Nations Security Council unanimously intensified sanctions against Pyongyang in response to North Korea's sixth nuclear test. These sanctions target North Korea's textile exports and crude oil imports. According to Reuters, this is the ninth sanctions resolution against North Korea since 2006. Over the years, North Korea has developed its nuclear and missile programs while ignoring Security Council resolutions. The report states that the U.S. had modified parts of the resolution to gain the support of Russia and China. Reuters notes that North Korea's textile exports constitute the second-highest figure in the country’s exports after coal, generating $752 million in revenue in 2016, with 80% of these exports going to China. The main imports of gas, petrochemical products, and crude oil for North Korea also come from China. The report indicates that sanctions on North Korea's crude oil imports will remain at previous levels. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the UN, stated after the sanctions resolution was passed that these new sanctions are the toughest ever imposed on Pyongyang. She added that these sanctions will better target the revenues of the North Korean government that are spent on advancing its nuclear and missile programs. The U.S. ambassador emphasized that Monday's sanctions resolution is the result of collective efforts to take the future of the nuclear program out of the hands of North Korean leaders. Haley noted that these sanctions target a significant portion of North Korea's export revenues. She attributed the passage of this resolution to the good cooperation between the presidents of the U.S. and China. Last week, North Korea announced that it had successfully tested a 'hydrogen bomb.' Following reports of intensified sanctions in the Security Council against Pyongyang, the North Korean Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it would take immediate actions and that 'the severest punishment' would be directed at the U.S. The North Korean Foreign Ministry also stated that the proposed U.S. resolution is 'illegal' and that if passed, Pyongyang's response would be 'stronger than ever.' Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, said on Sunday that recent events, including missile and nuclear tests in North Korea, severe verbal tensions, and the resulting crisis are 'the most serious' crisis the world has faced in many years. In this context, Germany and Russia called for resolving the North Korean crisis through dialogue. North Korea stated that if new sanctions are passed, 'the U.S. will pay the price.' The UN Secretary-General remarked that the danger of such a serious crisis has not been present for years. Trump expressed a preference for avoiding military options against North Korea.