U.N. Security Council Sanctions North Korea

The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose financial and arms sanctions on North Korea in response to the rogue nation's nuclear test on Monday.

The resolution:

• Demands North Korea eliminate all its nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
• Requires all countries to prevent the sale or transfer of materials related to Pyongyang's unconventional weapons programs, as well as large-sized military items such as tanks, missiles and helicopters.
• Demands nations freeze funds overseas of people or businesses connected with North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
• Allows nations to inspect cargo moving in and out of North Korea in pursuit of non-conventional weapons.
• Is not backed up by the threat of military force.
• Calls on Pyongyang to return "without precondition" to stalled six-nation talks on its nuclear program.

Successfully shepherding the resolution sanctioning North Korea through the Security Council was no small accomplishment, and for good efforts Ambassador Bolton deserves a hearty thank you.

Unfortunately, the Security Council's resolution will not induce North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program nor its missile program. The North Korean government has demonstrated time and again that it will lie, cheat and ignore the will of the world to further its goal of developing nuclear weapons it can deliver with ballistic missiles.

The only thing that can force North Korea to give up its defiance of the world is Chinese pressure. North Korea is dependent upon China for food and fuel. Only by China withholding those items supplied by China and necessary for the survival of the North Korean state will North Korea be forced to give up its missile and nuclear weapons programs.

Strong action is called for. The U.S. should pressure China to take the only steps that would matter to North Korea. China should be told the U.S. will not allow trade between the U.S. and China to increase and incrementally roll trade back until China puts sufficient pressure on North Korea to force the defiant state to comply with U.N. resolutions

We should step up the efforts of the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative. The program developed by John Bolton, which encourages countries to interdict weapons from North Korea, and other states of concern. Every ship going to and leaving North Korea should be stopped and searched to ensure contraband is not being transported to or from North Korea.

We should also take page from the Cuban missile crisis play book. It should be U.S. policy that any nuclear missile launched from North Korea against the U.S. or any of our allies will result in a full retaliatory response upon North Korea.

Comments

[Denny]

Don't forget that the resolution also stipulates that certain sales of alcohol to NK will also be banned. That should be the tipping point for North Korea to capitulate to the world's demands. LOL.