US, China propose tough UN sanctions targeting North Korean diplomats over nuke tests

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London, Mar 6: The US has proposed a UN resolution, agreed with China, for sanctions that would target senior North Korean diplomats, which would seek to deflect Pyongyang from its belligerent nuclear path.

America’s UN ambassador Susan Rice said they would be ‘some of the toughest sanctions’ the UN had imposed.

Rice said ‘for the first time ever, the resolution targets the illicit activities of North Korean diplomatic personnel, North Korean banking relationships [and] illicit transfers of bulk cash’.

She added that the resolution also pledges to take further measures should North Korea carry out another missile launch or nuclear test, the BBC reports.

Rice said she hoped the Security Council would vote on the draft resolution this week.

According to the report, Li Baodong, UN envoy of China, which has also agreed to the sanctions, said a “strong signal” had to be sent following North Korea’s third and most powerful nuclear test last month.

Li Baodong said China supported the move, but added that ‘that action should be proportionate, should be balanced and focused on bringing down the tension and focusing on the diplomatic track.’ (ANI)