The United Nations imposed new restrictions on North Korea’s ability to export coal on Wednesday, the latest attempt by the international community to tighten a sanctions regime that has not halted Pyongyang’s drive towards a nuclear programme.
The 15-member UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve the new sanctions which could reduce North Korea’s export revenue by as much as a quarter if fully implemented, diplomats said.
The new round of sanctions follows North Korea’s fifth nuclear test in September and a series of missile launches that it has conducted in recent months which have all added to the momentum behind its nuclear programme.