N. Korea among most sanctioned at U.N.

Violations include torture, missile tests

North Korea was sanctioned 16 times since 2006 by the U.N. Security Council over its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests.

North Korea joined the United Nations on Sept. 17, 1991, and has become one of the most frequently sanctioned members of the 193-nation organization.

North Korea, listed by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, has faced sanctions for human rights abuses and for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions against its missile and nuclear weapons tests.

The isolated, authoritarian regime was sanctioned in 2013 by the U.N. General Assembly over human rights violations. They include torture, arbitrary detention in inhumane conditions, public executions, punishment extending to three generations of the accused and forced labor.

The sanctions resolution condemned the large number of prison camps, limits on personal movement within and outside the country and restrictions on freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion and expression, assembly and association.

North Korea was sanctioned 16 times since 2006 by the U.N. Security Council over its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons tests and its failure to abide by its agreements and obligations under Security Council resolutions. North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests, its first in 2006 and its latest — and most powerful — this month.

The five permanent members of the Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The other 10 members rotate.

North Korea has conducted numerous ballistic missile tests, including recent successful launches of long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.