DETERRENCE

UN Expands North Korea Sanctions

With resolution approved by both U.S. and China, Pyongyang’s strongest ally.

The United Nations Security Council has expanded targeted sanctions against North Korea, passing the first such resolution approved by both the U.S. and China since President Trump took office. The move comes after Washington pushed Beijing, Pyongyang’s only major ally, to use its influence to make North Korea rein in its nuclear program after numerous missile tests in recent weeks. After the vote on Friday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley hinted at military action if the expanded sanctions don’t force North Korea to abandon its nuclear activities. “The United States will continue to seek a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to this situation,” she said. But “beyond diplomatic and financial consequences, the United States remains prepared to counteract North Korean aggression through other means, if necessary,” she warned. The expanded sanctions list adds four new entities and 14 individuals, imposing a global travel ban and asset freezes. The newly sanctioned entities include Koryo Bank, which handles overseas transactions for members of the North Korean government, and the Strategic Rocket Force of the Korean People's Army. The head of the country’s overseas spying operations has also been added to the list.