Fred Harteis News Articles - U.N. slaps trade, travel sanctions on North Korea

Fred Harteis News Articles - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Saturday to slap North Korea with trade, travel and other sanctions as punishment for its claimed nuclear weapons test.

U.S. President George W. Bush described the U.N. action as a "swift and tough" message that the world is "united in our determination to see to it that the Korean Peninsula is nuclear-weapons free."

He said North Korea has an opportunity for "a better way forward" and promised help to the impoverished country if it verifiably ends its nuclear weapons program. North Korean ambassador to the United Nations Pak Gil Yon said Pyongyang "totally rejects the unjustifiable resolution."

"If the United States increases pressure upon [North Korea] persistently, [it] will continue to take physical countermeasures considering it as a declaration of war," Pak, said.

After Pak spoke, he walked out of the chamber. That prompted John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador, to point to Pak's empty chair and denounce him.

Bolton said the 15-0 vote sent a "clear and strong message" to North Korea, whose claimed nuclear test on Monday poses "one of the gravest threats to peace and security" the council has ever confronted.

The resolution calls on Pyongyang to end all nuclear weapons programs, Bolton said. It forbids U.N. member nations from North Korean trade involving nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

North Korean government officials known to be involved in WMD efforts are banned from traveling to member states. It also includes a North Korean ban on "luxury goods." (Resolution text)

The ban appeared to be directed at North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who has a long, documented record of living a life of luxury while his people battled against a national famine. On Friday Bolton said, "The North Korean population's been losing average height and weight over the years, and maybe this will be a little diet for Kim Jong Il."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Sunday his country was considering additional measures against North Korea.

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Source: Cnn.com

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