UN to vote on new N. Korea sanctions targeting oil

UNITED NATIONS, United States: The UN Security Council will vote on a US-drafted resolution ramping up sanctions on North Korea by restricting oil supplies vital for Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear programs.

The United States presented the draft resolution following negotiations with China, Pyongyang’s ally, on new punitive measures in response to North Korea’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile ( ICBM) on Nov 28. It would be the third raft of sanctions imposed on North Korea this year and comes as the United States and North Korea are showing no signs they are willing to engage in talks to end the crisis on the Korean peninsula.

Diplomats said they expected the measure to be adopted during the meeting scheduled for 1pm (1800 GMT).

Japan’s Ambassador Koro Bessho, who holds the council presidency, said Japan supports the draft resolution ‘wholeheartedly’ and voiced hope that there will be unanimous support.

Building on previous resolutions, the new draft tightens restrictions on crude and refined oil deliveries to North Korea, most of which are supplied by China.

The measure would ban the supply of nearly 90 per cent of refined oil products to North Korea and order the repatriation of all North Korean nationals working abroad within 12 months, according to the text obtained by AFP.

US President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping last month to cut off oil to North Korea, a move that would deal a crippling blow to its desperately struggling economy. — AFP